The Cosmo Queens Feed the Homeless at Our Emergency Overnight Shelter

On December 15, 2008 the Cosmo Queens threw a Holiday Party for our homeless residents at our Emergency Overnight Shelter. Go to cosmoqueens.com to find out more about their organization.

Thanks Cosmo Queens for all that you do! They’re wonderful volunteers at our shelter!!

Cosmo Queens: “Feeding the homeless in December was extra special for a family the Queens adopted this Christmas. Christmas 2008 will be one they remember with a BIG smile! The Queens also served up some entertainment along with the food for the homeless. Hopefully some joy and laughter was brought into the lives of all the special people that were there. Thank you Pat for all you do!“

Santa even made a stop by for the kids!

Anderson Packaging Doubles Holiday Fundraising Goal – American Red Cross Rock River Chapter Emergency Overnight Shelter received $11,000!

Rock River Chapter is one of four agencies to receive funds garnered through employee fundraiser – the American Red Cross Rock River Chapter Emergency Overnight Shelter received $11,000!

The Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce a generous holiday gift from Anderson Packaging. This donation comes as a result of Anderson’s second annual Project E.L.L.F. charitable giving campaign.

The program, “Project E.L.L.F.: Enriching the Lives of the Less Fortunate”, was designed as a grassroots holiday themed voluntary charity donation effort for company workers. Over a three-week period, from December 1st to December 17th, workers submitted donations to nominate teams in a cross-functional competition. Teams raising the most money will greet workers at the plant entrances today in holiday themed costumes at each of the company’s three shifts and multiple facilities. “Going into this year’s campaign we established a goal of $10,000 for employee contributions,” states Tracy Barr, Director of Customer Project Planning at Anderson Packaging. “Despite the very challenging economy, we were astonished to find that we were able to raise $22,000 in employee contributions. It’s truly a testament to our employee’s generosity and sense of community.” With a 100% match from the company, the final tally is $44,000.

David Pattengale, director of the Red Cross Emergency Shelter says, “This donation to our overnight shelter means that our neighbors who may have fallen on hard times will have a place to sleep tonight. It’s important that we keep these people in mind during the holiday season, and the employees of Anderson Packaging have truly stepped up to show they care.”

The Shelter Mission

To meet the temporary shelter needs of a diverse group of individuals who for whatever cause are homeless in the community. We strive to create a safe environment that is free of discrimination and respects human dignity. This will be accomplished by providing positive role models, community education, and support systems which empower and develop guests, volunteers and staff, with a focus on long-term solutions.

About Anderson Packaging

Anderson Packaging, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AmerisourceBergen Corporation, is one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical contract packagers in the United States.

With extensive experience in new-product launches and process startup, Anderson offers specialized services such as package development, including design of child-resistant and patient compliance prompting features, as well as process development, including in-house tooling design and manufacture. Anderson also maintains one of the most progressive process, facilities and validation programs in the contract packaging industry, while maintaining a record of superior quality and service.

Homeless Shelters in Rockford Illinois During the Winter Season – WTVO

The recent bitter cold weather is causing many homeless shelters to be filled to capacity. The poor economy was already giving local shelters too much business. But now with this arctic cold weather the last few days, many are scrambling to find enough room for the homeless.

Click here to watch the story.

If you’d like to find out how you can help local homeless shelters by making a donation you can call the American Red Cross at 815-963-8471 or www.rockriver.redcross.org.

The Red Cross Offers Holiday Travel Tips for a Safer Trip to Grandma’s

The American Red Cross Helps Winter Drivers Stay on Track

With thousands of people in Rockford hitting the road for holiday travel in the coming weeks, the Rock River Chapter urges families and individuals to take precautions against the deceptive dangers of wintry weather and prepare for winter travel. According to the US Department of Commerce, almost 70 percent of winter injuries related to snow and ice take place as a result of vehicle accidents. But there are steps people can take to stay safer while traveling this winter.

“The American Red Cross recommends that people prepare for disasters and other weather emergencies wherever they spend a lot of time, and for many of us that includes our vehicles,” says Cedric Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator at the Rock River Chapter. “As we gear up for holiday travel, it’s even more important that we all take simple steps to help keep ourselves and our loved ones safer while on the road.”

The American Red Cross offers the following preparedness tips before hitting the road:

Winter-proof your vehicle:

• Get your vehicle checked by a mechanic and pay extra attention to the battery, tire pressure, heater, defroster, wiper blades and washer fluid.
• Carry a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle at all times with basics like non-perishable food, water, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, first aid kit, emergency flares, and jumper cables.
• Make sure your kit includes winter items like a shovel, windshield scraper, blankets, and sand or cat litter for tire traction.
• Try to keep your gas tank as close to full as possible in case of an emergency and to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Before you travel:

• Let your family or friends know your destination, your primary and alternate route, when you plan on leaving and when you expect to arrive. If your vehicle gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast. Your local TV and radio stations can provide updated storm information that can help you avoid treacherous weather.
• Motorists should also be cautious about animals on the highway.

If you are stranded:

• Stay with your vehicle and don’t attempt to walk to safety. It’s easy to become disoriented in wind-driven snow and exposure increases your risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite.
• As you sit, exercise your arms and legs to maintain body heat.
• Use the heater for 10 minutes every hour and leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen. Open the window a crack for fresh air and to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear from snow and ice so fumes won’t back up in the vehicle.
• Make it easier for rescuers to find you by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antennae.
• After the snow has subsided, raise your vehicle hood to indicate you need help.

For additional winter safety tips and information on building a disaster supplies kit for your vehicle, contact: (815) 963-8471 or visit www.rockriver.redcross.org.

Thanks to Everyone Involved at Yesterday’s American Red Cross Viditalk Event for the Troops!

Yesterday was a wonderful success! We were at the Chicago Rockford International Airport letting friends and families record video messages to send to the loved ones serving our country overseas and abroad.

You can see one of the videos that was recorded below!

American Red Cross Releases Top 5 Disasters of 2008

The American Red Cross today announced the top five disasters of 2008, based on the number of people needing shelter, food, and comfort. They are:

1. Hurricane Dolly
2. Hurricane Gustav
3. Hurricane Ike
4. Midwest Flooding
5. Indiana Tornadoes

Weather played a disastrous part in many people’s lives in 2008. A record number of tornadoes destroyed homes and memories. The worst flooding in more than a decade inundated the Midwest. Hurricanes followed each other, leaving devastation in their wake. And wildfires sparked by severe dry conditions and high winds blazed several times in the west.

The American Red Cross was there through it all.

“No matter where our help was needed, we were there,” said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross, “But helping those affected by all of these disasters has been costly. We’ve spent all funds contributed for Red Cross Disaster Relief.”

The Red Cross set up almost 900 shelters; served more than 16.5 million meals and snacks; distributed close to 275,000 comfort and clean-up kits, and deployed more than 27,000 Red Cross workers to respond to these five disasters. These numbers do not include the many other disasters which struck across the country, large and small.

Earlier this year, Red Cross launched a $100 million nationwide fundraising campaign — the Campaign for Disaster Relief. As the year draws to a close, Red Cross is asking the public to remember those whose lives are changed in an instant by disaster and make a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund, which allows us to mobilize volunteers and resources to help communities throughout the United States.

You can make a donation by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Spanish speakers can call 1-800-257-7575. You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

“We thank all those who have supported our disaster relief efforts,” Becker said, “and ask those who have not yet made a donation to please give whatever they can to help us continue to be there with food, shelter, and comfort when disaster strikes.”

For more information on those disasters please visit the Red Cross Online Newsroom.

Red Cross Invites America to Join “National Day of Giving” December 13

The Red Cross is designating December 13 the “National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross” as part of its efforts to reach the $100 million fundraising goal for its Campaign for Disaster Relief, which the organization launched in September.

“We’ve made some incredible progress toward our goal in a short period of time,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer of the Red Cross, “and we’re confident that the National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross will bring us that much closer.”

Red Cross volunteers and employees will reach out on December 13 to their friends and neighbors to help raise money for the Campaign for Disaster Relief, which aims to replenish the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was depleted as a result of a very busy year of disasters, including a record number of tornadoes, severe flooding in the central United States and an active hurricane season. From January through October 2008, the Red Cross had already responded to more than 70 large-scale disasters.

The Red Cross relies on the Disaster Relief Fund to provide food, shelter and counseling for disaster victims in the United States. Red Cross volunteers respond not only during large events like hurricanes or earthquakes, but also in thousands of “silent” disasters-most commonly house fires-that happen in communities every day, all across the country.

There are several ways the public can help the Red Cross meet its $100 million goal, which will go toward helping the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year:

• Look for Red Cross volunteers in your community on December 13. They will be available to take donations on the spot. Share what you can with your neighbors.
• Donate to the Red Cross by going to www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-REDCROSS (for Spanish-speakers, 1-800-257-7575).
• Send contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• Use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” (4483) to “2HELP” (24357).
• Shop the Red Cross online store at www.redcrossstore.org.

REMINDER: The American Red Cross is Helping You Record Video Messages to the Troops – Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Record a two-minute streaming video, which will then be e-mailed to their loved ones serving in the Armed Forces.

• Where: Chicago Rockford International Airport’s (RFD) Main Terminal
• When: Tuesday, December 16th from 6am to 7pm
• Who: Friends and family members
• What do you need: the soldier’s email address

Many thanks to the organizations below for helping
us spread the word!

St. Bridget’s School in Rockford, Illinois Donates to the Red Cross Emergency Overnight Shelter Donation

We’d like to thank St. Bridget’s for their generous donation to our Emergency Overnight Shelter!

American Red Cross Shares Holiday Fire Safety Tips

As the holiday season moves into full swing, the American Red Cross-Rock River Chapter urges families to follow simple safety tips to keep the season merry and to prevent holiday fires.

First, the Red Cross recommends keeping all potential fuel sources, including decorations and evergreen trees and wreaths, at least three feet from heat sources such as candles, heat vents, fireplaces and radiators.

In addition, holiday lights and candles need to be turned off or extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed, and especially before leaving home.

If you are entertaining guests, designate a responsible family member to walk around your home ensuring that candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished once guests leave.

During the winter holiday season the incidence and severity of home fires dramatically increases. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year nearly 47,000 fires occur nationally during the holidays claiming more than 500 lives, causing more than 2,200 injuries, and costing $554 million in property damage. Many of these fires are caused by home heating sources, unattended cooking, and candles.

“Last year the Rock River Chapter responded to more than 100 home fires and provided families with immediate emergency assistance including shelter, food, counseling and more,” said Dave Pattengale, Director of Emergency Services. “In addition to following safety precautions with holiday lights and decorations, this is a great time for Rock River Valley families to make sure that their smoke alarms are functioning properly and practice their home fire escape plan.”

At a minimum, smoke alarms need to be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home. If you sleep with closed doors, install alarms inside sleeping areas too. Use the test button to test each smoke alarm once a month. All smoke alarm batteries need to be replaced once a year. Fire escape plans should include at least two escape routes for every room in the home. Also chose a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from your home. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.

The Red Cross recommends following the below tips to help prevent holiday home fires:

Christmas Tree Care

• Purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees.
• If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily boken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.
• Use a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
• Keep trees at least three feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
• Make sure that any light strings or other decorations for the tree are in good condition and follow manufacturer’s instructions for their use. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.
• Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.
• Safely dispose of trees as they become dry and needles begin to drop.
• Dispose of trees through recycling centers or community pick-up services. Dried-out trees should not be left at home or in a garage, or placed against the home or garage.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

• Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets by not linking more than three light strands.
• Use decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Place decorations at least three feet away from fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.

Holiday Candles

• Remember that lit candles are fire. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from trees, evergreens, holiday decorations, and other items that can catch on fire like clothing, papers and curtains.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Place candles only where they cannot be reached or easily knocked over by children and pets.
• Consider using battery-operated “flameless” candles that are scented and have a flickering affect.

For more information on fire safety, or to learn more about American Red Cross programs and services please visit: www.rockriver.redcross.org or call: (815) 963-8471.