Being Prepared

Being prepared is important.  With the recent tragedy in Tucson, we have come to see first hand how important preparedness really is. Would you be prepared to take action like Congressional Intern Daniel Hernandez? 

Daniel Hernadez with Rep. Gabrielle
Giffords during her campaign

After Daniel saw that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was seriously wounded, he positioned Giffords so that she would not choke on her own blood. He made sure to apply pressure to both the entry and exit wounds.

Intern Hernandez had some medical training to assist him in this situation. Any training is a step in the right direction. First aid training is available to all citizens who would like to be prepared to step up in an emergency.  

CPR TRAINING:

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross provides first aid training in a variety of sites.  Just go to our website and click on the tab “Take a class." You can choose from a variety of classes, including CPR. You can also find a class close to you by your zip code.  

Maybe by making a commitment to be prepared for emergencies, we can minimize the hurt and protect the future. 

~ Event Coordinator Volunteer Rita Audisio

Polar Bear Plunge

On Your Mark! Get Set! BBBRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Erin here from the Aquatics department telling you to brave a dive for water safety! 

The City of Peoria Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the third annual Winter Water Safety Day and Polar Plunge this Saturday, January 8^th.  

The event will take place at Sunrise Mountain Pool

 (21321 N. 86th Dr.) from 7:30 – 9:30 am.

It will be chilly out at this year’s Polar Plunge! Participates from around the valley are coming together to promote that drowning prevention is a year-round task.  Here you will find laughs and fun as individuals of all ages plunge into the icy waters, after eating a free hot breakfast cooked by Peoria Firefighters Charities (yes, did I mention Firefighters will be there??) and receiving a free T-Shirt as a trophy honoring their brisk aquatic battle.

We've got three of our very own who are stepping up to the challenge! Steven McGhee (Aquatics & Community Programs Coordinator), Bill Stouppe (Fulfillment Supervisor) and Amanda Pagan (Health & Safety Director) will be participating in this frosty event by jumping into this unheated pool, with temperatures projected to be near 40 – 50 degrees, and swimming 25 yards as fast as frozenly possible toward warm showers that beckon them at the end!!

A Lesson in Outreach

Red Cross Holocaust and 

War Victims Tracing Volunteer 

Donna Winkler (standing) reviews 

Red Cross documentation with 

Ana Aleksiev. 

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many people keep to themselves while they check off their never-ending list of people to shop for. So today, we wanted to share this great example of outreach. 

Our volunteer extraordinaire, Donna Winkler, is a caseworker for our chapter's Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center. Here, she explains how outreach is not as scary and complicated as it's reputation precedes. 

Outreach, instead, is simple - reaching out, even if it's to one person.

ANYONE CAN DO OUTREACH! 
- Donna Winkler

I had always thought that those doing 'Outreach' were doing something miraculous and mysterious.  That one had to go out into the cold world and knock on unfamiliar doors and ask for money.  Not true.   

At a recent dinner I attended, a woman approached me and told me that she wanted information about tracing her relatives who were lost during World War II. Asking for her business card, I agreed to be in touch. When I returned to the chapter office a few days later, I sent her a short note telling her of my delight in meeting her. I enclosed my contact information and the form necessary to begin the Tracing Process.

Holiday Mail for Heroes is Here!

Holiday Mail for Heroes is underway and we couldn’t be more excited! Now in its third year, Pitney Bowes has partnered with us once again to bring holiday greetings into the hands of service members and veterans, many of whom will be away from home this season. 

Amy Grant's holiday card design

Everyone seems to be getting involved, such as members of the U.S. Senate and even Dr. Phil and Amy Grant.  (We loved Amy's beautiful card hand-drawing skills!) 

Here in Arizona, some of our PIOs (Public Information Officers) in Peoria Library conducted a Holiday Mail for Heroes event last week, complete with Christmas music, markers, and holiday cheer to create some joy for the Armed Forces. 

Tomorrow afternoon, we will be out in full force in Bashas' across the valley, giving people a chance to take a moment and write on provided cards that will be sent out.  How cool is that?

Since we are passionate about serving military families and this is a great way to gather the community together and express appreciation for defending our freedoms.  

November is National Youth Involvement Month

Each November, the American Red Cross celebrates the incredible work that youth do for the organization. Nationally, youth volunteers do everything! We respond to disasters, give blood, teach preparedness classes, raise funds for international relief and support our troops.

What better way than to start a youth club at your school?  Are you ready for awesome steps to get you involved? 

Here's How:

Week 1: 

Getting Active and Finding a Volunteer Project

Week 2: 

Spreading the Word and Tracking your Volunteer Experience

Week 3: 

Staying Active and Finishing a Project

Week 4: 

Recapping Your Experience and Moving Forward

Look forward to more information to come out every Monday in November over Youth Wire and the Redcrossyouth.org blog.

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross invites youth and young adults to consider starting a Red Cross Club in your school. Check out our Youth Club information and Get Active today!