Club Red Kicks off New Season of Events

We are honored to partner with local businesses this summer in hosting events to benefit the mission and services of the Red Cross. 

The events will be part of the Red Cross Club Red program, an initiative aimed to engage young professional in the Red Cross mission, generally through event-base fundraising activities. 

We hope to expand the Club Red program in the coming year and create a society in which young professionals can network, develop career paths and engage in the mission of the Red Cross.  It is our desire to build and empower our communitiy’s future leader.

Upcoming Events:

• Mr. Friendly’s and Solstice Kitchen will host a Charity Night on Wednesday, August 15th.  The restaurants will be donating 25% of wines sales to the Red Cross
• The Wild Hare in the Vista will sponsor a Red Cross Trivia Night on Wednesday, August 29th starting at 8 pm.  Donations will be accepted that evening.   

If you are interested in learning more about the services of the Red Cross please visit Redcross.org.  For more information about Club Red,  please contact Madison Webb at (803) 540-1227 or madison.webb@redcross.org.

 

It’s Here! Red Cross Launches New Hurricane App

Official Hurrican App is now available on both iPhone and Android phones.

The American Red Cross has launched a free Hurricane App, providing people who live in or visit hurricane prone areas with life saving information. This app is the first in its series of disaster-specific apps being released this summer, and is available on both iPhone and Android phones.

It gives instant access to local and real time information on what to do before, during and after hurricanes. Building on the Red Cross’ leadership in the social media space, the app also includes a number of features that allow people to monitor personalized weather alerts in locations where family and friends reside and share information with others in their social networks who might also need it.

The launch of the Red Cross hurricane app comes just before what is traditionally the busiest period of the Atlantic hurricane season. Features of the app include:

• One touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way;
• Location-based NOAA weather alerts for the United States and its territories users can share on social networks;
• Remote monitoring of personalized weather alerts where family and friends reside
• Locations of open Red Cross shelters;
• Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;
• Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;
• Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and
• Badges users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks.

People who need to get out of harm’s way quickly can tap the “I’m Safe” button to post a message to their social accounts, letting friends and loved ones know they are okay.

The new Hurricane App allows users to locate Red Cross shelters in their area.

Other features include:

• Toolkit with a flashlight, a strobe light and an audible alarm;
• Locations of open Red Cross shelters;
• Simple steps and checklists to create a family emergency plan; and
• Preloaded preparedness content that gives instant access to critical action steps even without mobile connectivity.

It’s important that people can access this information right on their mobile device. And with natural disasters, it’s vital that people can share weather warnings, preparedness information and their own status immediately with their social networks.

The Red Cross is an established leader in teaching people the skills the need to survive life’s emergencies and now we want to become the leader in putting help in everyone’s hand. We want people to be ready to respond to emergencies and spread emergency information on their social networks, any where, any time-even if they don’t have formal training.

The Hurricane and First Aid Apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.  Downloading the First Aid app is not a substitute for training. First Aid and CPR/AED training empowers people to know how to respond to emergencies in case advanced medical help is delayed. People can visit redcross.org/takeaclass for course information and to register.

Water Safety Saves Lives

Summer is here! As we enjoy food, family, and fun we must remember that safety remains a priority.   A recent American Red Cross study shows that almost half  the adults surveyed on water safety say they’ve had an experience where they’ve nearly drowned, and one in four know someone who has drowned. Many accidents happen abruptly and silently. It is important to know how to respond to an aquatic emergency.

Aquatic Safety PSA

The American Red Cross offers a variety of resources, such as the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program, to teach people how to be safer in, on and around water. This is a comprehensive training program designed to teach participants not only how to swim, but also how to avoid potentially dangerous situations and how to take effective action in emergency situations. The program consists of swimming courses for all ages and abilities, as well as a wide range of water safety courses and presentations.

With so many planning to be in, on or near the water, it is
important to follow the basics of water safety, maintain
constant supervision of children and to get trained.

In addition to the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program, the Red Cross also offers a Home Pool Essentials™: Maintenance and Safety Online Course, a two-hour course that covers the basics of operating a home pool, raises awareness of how to make a safer environment, and teaches basic rescue techniques. For more information on available safety courses, please call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit www. redcross.org.

Water Safety Resources:

• It Only Takes a Moment
• Your Home Doesn’t Come with a Lifeguard
• Would you know what to do?
• Be Red Cross Ready: Home Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance and Safety

Click here for summer safety information and click here for more information about our aquatics program.

Guardian Angels in the American Red Cross

On April 18, 2012, a family lost their home to a fire in Lexington County.  Brenda Tant did not expect such a devastating incident on the birthday of her son. On the way to surprise her eight-year-old at school with cupcakes, Brenda realized she had forgotten something and returned home. Brenda pulled up to her home to find it completely engulfed in flames.

Red Cross volunteers were on the scene within moments of being called to provide what Brenda and her family so desperately needed – support, immediate assistance and a sense of hope.  Red Cross volunteer, Chris Sanchez, helped Brenda get checked into a hotel and provided the family with financial assistance to purchase food, clothing and life-saving medication.   In addition, the Chris provided each member of the family with a personal hygiene kit that included basic items such as a toothbrush, soap and shampoo.

“Chris was our guardian angel and we are truly grateful for the assistance from the Red Cross,” Brenda told Red Cross staff.  “We have been taking things one day at a time and the Red Cross has helped with that process.”

The level of service that the Red Cross provides to each disaster victim goes above and beyond the initial call for help.  The Red Cross provides a full spectrum of services to ensure that each person’s basic needs are met and that they have the support needed to get back on their feet.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.  For more information on how you can support the Red Cross, please visit Redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

University of South Carolina students receive life-saving award during Red Cross Community Day

Thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, April 6th was “Red Cross Community Day” at the University of South Carolina’s (USC) baseball stadium.  BlueCross BlueShield chose the Red Cross as their community partner for the 2012 USC baseball season.  Each time the Gamecocks score DOUBLES during the entire baseball season, BlueCross BlueShield will contribute $65 to the Red Cross – up to a maximum contribution of $5,000.

That same day our staff and volunteers had the privilege to spend time with and honor five USC students with the Certificate of Merit for heroic actions that they took to save a life last summer.  While working for the USC Challenging Horizons Program, Lauren Pendleton, Amanda Kitchings, Joseph Sims, Robert Sofaly III and Kate Coffey were able to save 16-year-old, Harry Samuel Jr.’s life in a near drowning situation. Thankfully all five of these student’s were trained in Red Cross CPR and First Aid and knew how to stay calm, work as a team and use their emergency response skills to save a life.

Here’s a recap of our fun-filled day…

Our day started by touring the USC baseball stadium. We had a fun, behind the scenes tour of the locker room, weight room, batting cages and dugout of our back-to-back national champions!

Harry Samuel, Jr., Certificate of Merit recipients and USC staff in the weight room.

Inside the locker room, were we found star baseball player, Matt Price’s locker.

Red Cross staff in front of the back-to-back National Championship trophies.

Red Cross staff members, Lauren Johnson and Anna Kate Christophillis enjoy seeing USC’s baseball stadium.

Once the tour of the baseball stadium concluded, we headed to a luncheon honoring our Certificate of Merit recipients.  For over a century, the Red Cross has presented the highest Red Cross award for saving a life, the Certificate of Merit, to more than 12,000 individuals who have saved or sustained a life. We were so proud of these five USC students and their dedication to help others in need!

The Certificate of Merit medal and certificate.

(From left to right) Certificate of Merit recipient, Kate Coffey accepts her award presented by Harry Samuel, Jr. and Scott R Salemme, Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, Columbia Region

Award recipients smile with pride after they received the Certificate of Merit award from the Red Cross for saving 16-year-old, Harry Samuel, Jr.’s life last summer.

After our luncheon to honor the award recipients, we traveled to the stadium for the USC baseball game against Tennessee! The recipients of the Certificate of Merit were recognized on the field before the game.  Also, Robert Sofaly III, Certificate of Merit recipient, threw the first pitch.

Award recipient, Robert Sofaly III, throws the first pitch of the game.

Our staff and volunteers had a wonderful day celebrating the heroic work of these five college students. Thank you to BlueCross BlueShield and USC for making this such a special day!  Click here for more pictures of our fun-filled day.  

BlueCross BlueShield has been a long-time friend to the Red Cross and has made our humanitarian mission a reality throughout the state of South Carolina.

For more information on Red Cross life-saving training, visit Redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.  

Come Join us at the RiverTown Reindeer Race on Saturday, December 3rd!

Presented by BlueCross/Blue Shield of South Carolina, the RiverTown Reindeer Race will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2011 and is an annual event hosted by the Red Cross Rescue Racer Program.  The 5K race is held in the historic district of downtown Conway, SC on a certifed route. The race begins and ends at the Conway Marina Park.

Race direction is provided by the Grand Strand Running Club.  Entry is $22 prior to the race day; Race day registration is $25 from 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.  Register online at http://www.grandstrandrunner.com or mail check to American Red Cross, 3531 Pampas Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

The Red Cross Rescue Racer Program is the official charity training program for the MyrtleBeach Marathon.

To learn how you can join the Red Cross Rescue Racer Program and participate in the annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon or Dasani Half Marathon, call Angela Nicholas, Program Manager at (843) 650-0145 or at aknicholas@sc.rr.com, or Susan Mungo, Program Chair at (843) 602-7556.

 

Pearl Fryar will Host a FREE Tour of His Nationally Renowned Topiary Garden

Pearl Fryar will open his nationally renowned topiary garden to the public for free garden tours during the weekend of October 6^th – 8^th.  These free garden tours will take place all three days from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

In addition, a special Open House will take place on Saturday, October 8^th from 11 a.m. – noon.  

The Open House will include a live auction, BBQ and a free demonstration by Pearl Fryar on how to create a topiary masterpiece. 

The Pearl Fryar Garden is located at 145 Broad Acres Road in Bishopville, SC.  All proceeds raised at the event will benefit the local American Red Cross.

“Last year there was a 50% increase in home fires in this area – we need the community’s help more than ever,” said Nancy Cataldo, Executive Director, American Red Cross,Tri-CountyServiceCenter.  “To have someone like Pearl Fryar offer his spectacular garden to benefit the American Red Cross and the local community is a true testament of neighbor helping neighbor.”

Since the early 1980s, Pearl Fryar has been creating fantastic topiary at his garden in Bishopville. Living sculptures,Pearl’s topiaries are astounding feats of artistry and horticulture. Many of the plants inPearl’s garden were rescued from the compost pile at local nurseries. WithPearl’s patience and skilled hands, these “throw aways” have thrived and have been transformed into wonderful abstract shapes. Pearl Fryar and his garden are now internationally recognized and have been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, television shows, and even a documentary, A Man Named Pearl. Today, the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden draws visitors from around the globe.

Visitors to thePearlFryarTopiaryGardenexperience a place that is alternately beautiful, whimsical, educational, and inspiring.Pearl’s garden contains over 300 individual plants, and few are spared from his skilled trimming. His extraordinary topiary is complemented by his “junk art” sculptures placed throughout the garden.Pearl’s garden is a living testament to one man’s firm belief in the results of positive thinking, hard work, and perseverance, and his dedication to spreading a message of “love, peace, and goodwill.”

 For more information on this event, call (803) 775-2363, and for more information about The Pearl Fryar Garden, visit www.pearlfryar.com/.

Shelter Opens in Columbia after Severe Flooding

American Red Cross Opens Shelter after Severe Flooding  

A Shelter opens to residents displaced after severe flooding hits the Midlands

Columbia, SC, September 26, 2011 – American Red Cross, Columbia Region has opened a shelter to provide temporary housing to residents that were displaced as a result of severe flooding that occurred yesterday at the Austin Woods Apartment complex in Columbia.  The shelter opened tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, located at4205 Kilbourne Road in Columbia.

Red Cross disaster relief workers have been responding to people affected by this storm since late yesterday evening.  Last night, the Red Cross provided temporary lodging to 14 displaced residents. 

Because of ongoing disaster emergency training, Red Cross disaster volunteers are fully prepared and ready to provide immediate emergency assistance to the residents affected by this storm.  Every day disasters of this caliber reinforce the need for Red Cross disaster workers to continue training to be ready when the time comes. 

The Red Cross relies on financial support from the community to have the resources available to recruit and train disaster volunteers, as well as fund Disaster Relief efforts.  To make a financial contribution to the Red Cross, please send donations to: The American Red Cross, PO Box 91, Columbia, SC29202. Donations may also be made by visiting www.columbiaregionredcross.org or by calling (803) 540-1242.

 About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.  To make a financial contribution to the Red Cross, please send donations to: The American Red Cross, P.O. Box 91, Columbia, SC, 29202.  Donations can also be made by visiting www.columbiaregionredcross.org or calling (803) 540-1242.

Vote for the Red Cross Today!

Day Break Adult Care Services gives $500 away each month to a local charity, based on the number of votes that they get online.  Click here and Vote for the American Red Cross Aiken County Chapter Today!

Votes will be tallied throughout the entire month, so please encourage your friends and family members to go online and vote for us as well.  The web site will ask for your contact information and will send you a confirmation email after voting. 

Vote for us and make us the top charity this month!

DO YOU VOTE TODAY?

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.  To make a donation, please visit www.columbiaregionredcross.org or call 803-540-1241. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 91, Columbia, SC, 29202

Red Cross Disaster Training Offered in Preparation for Hurricane Irene

As our busy hurricane season begins brewing and Hurricane Irene continues to make its way towards the East Coast, the need for Red Cross trained volunteers to respond to local and national disasters continues to increase.  That is why we are offering disaster training classes this Friday and Saturday at our Central SC and Pee Dee Chapters.

Disaster Services classes being offered at the Central SC Chapter:

1.) Disaster Services Overview and Shelter Operations will be offered at 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 at two separate times on Friday, August 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• The Disaster Services Overview and Shelter Operations class will teach volunteers the skills they need to serve in a pre- or post-emergency Red Cross shelter

2.) Disaster Assessment will be offered at 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• The Disaster Assessment class will teach volunteers the skills needed to asses post-disaster damage.

Disaster Services classes being offered at the Pee Dee Chapter:

1.) Disaster Assessment Basics will be offered at 1601-A W. Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501 on Saturday, August 27^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Disaster Assessment Basics provides a general overview of the tasks performed by American Red Cross Disaster Assessment workers in support of a national disaster relief operations and local incidents such as a single family fire.

Anyone interested in registering for these disaster classes must PRE-REGISTER by calling (803) 540-1215.  Individuals must register so there is sufficient material for all participants.

You can help people affected by disasters like Hurricane Irene or other disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit http://www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.