Regional Executive Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - December 2014

Every Eight Minutes

Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to someone in need in this country. This holiday season, remember those who need this assistance and give something that means something.

Please help us help those in need by taking part in the annual Red Cross Holiday Campaign. Your support can help a victim of disaster or a member of the Armed Forces who is far from home.

You can do this by visiting the Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog at www.redcross.org/gifts and select a symbolic gift for someone on their holiday list. The gift is tax-deductible and will support Red Cross programs like these:

• Disaster Services - 70,000 people turn to the Red Cross every year for help during a disaster.
• Service to the Armed Forces - members of the military, veterans and civilians receive about 400,000 Red Cross services every year.

Catalog items include things like infant care kits for babies in emergency shelters, comfort kits for wounded warriors, or emergency kits that provide a month of supplies for a family overseas involved in a disaster. Catalog purchases come with greeting cards shoppers can send to a friend or loved one, letting them know a donation has been made in their name.

Every eight minutes, someone needs American Red Cross help.  Please join me in supporting this great mission and make it possible.

Letter from Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Glenda Bobalik - December 2014

As we come to the end of 2014, I look back with amazement at the power of our mission providing assistance to our community through the work of trained, dedicated volunteers supported by the generosity of our donors.

Just last night, two disaster action team members met a family at 3 a.m. to ensure they had a place to stay, food, and clothing.  Today, a volunteer nurse is working with the family to replace essential medications.  At the same time, other volunteers are responding to an apartment building fire.  Thankfully, no one was injured in either incident. These are just two of over three hundred such events.

Educating our friends and neighbors on the steps to take in preparing for emergencies are volunteers who work diligently to guide us toward a safer community.  Some of these volunteers spent a Saturday morning this fall going through neighborhoods distributing smoke alarms to those with a need.  Partnering with the fire department they helped make our community safer.  Other volunteers have facilitated the Pillowcase Project utilizing an interactive process to teach basic preparedness steps to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. So far they have interacted with over 1100 students.

Starting last summer, we strengthened our relationship with Biomed Services when we began hosting blood drives at our Kingsport office. Each month, donors arrive to give the gift of life.  We have learned, given, and become stronger through this partnership.  A team of fantastic volunteers host the event and register the donors.

The American Red Cross has a long history of service to our armed forces.  Since the Civil War, we have worked with service personnel and their families.  Last month, a family in our community was connected with their service member in Germany by contacting us.  A member of the family was seriously ill and they were requesting that the service member be informed of the situation and, if possible, come home to support the family.  The situation was verified independently and the service member came home to be with his family at a critical time.  Serving veterans as well as active duty personnel, our volunteers are active at the VA Medical Center in Johnson City.  One unique program they provide is the monthly Birthday Party for the residents in the extended care facility.  These parties ensure that each veteran receives a small gift and acknowledgement of their special day. For these veterans it is a reminder that we as a community have not forgotten their service to us.

These are but a few examples of the ongoing service in the community through the wonderful people that are the American Red Cross working to fulfill our mission. We look back on 2014 with pride as we prepare for the opportunities of 2015.  Join us!

Glenda

How Your Friends Affect Your Donations this Holiday Season

New American Red Cross poll finds it’s the messenger, not the medium, that’s motivating

 A new American Red Cross survey found that even among social media users, it’s the messenger, not the medium, that’s key to motivating social media users to donate to charity, suggesting that personal appeals from friends matter more than trending topics and gimmicks.

The Red Cross survey reinforced that personal relationships influence giving both offline and online.

Social users are a charitable group overall with more than seven in 10 (71 percent) donating to a charity in the past 12 months, and of those who gave to charity, 60 percent donated online. See the infographic here.

The online survey of 1,021 adults conducted October 16-19 found that in the online space, a personal connection is particularly important when deciding to give to charity. The majority (70 percent) of social media users would take some kind of action in response to a friend posting a story on social media about making a charitable donation.

Moreover, while only three percent of respondents said social media was the most effective way for the charity itself to request a donation, the number jumped to 19 percent when asked if they would likely donate money to a charity if they saw a friend post about a recent donation.

“This survey shows how social networks and charitable giving are intersecting and building on one another,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the Red Cross. “These social philanthropists are giving online to charities and sharing the news on social networks, which then often leads to more social activity and more giving by their friends. I believe this trend will only grow in the future.”

Face-to-Face Time is Still Powerful

Even though they are giving in large numbers and are enthusiastic about their online interactions, social users still say face-to-face interaction is the best way to solicit donations.

• Four in 10 (42 percent) social users said they are more likely to give this year over last year via an offline option such as putting money in a store countertop canister, giving to someone in a public place and mailing a check. This trumped options such as texting or using social media to donate.

• Nearly four in 10 people (37 percent) said they would likely make a charitable donation in response to an in-person request.

Social Users are in it to Give, Not Receive

While trends online and in the media can draw new attention to a charity, this survey shows that social users are unmoved by trends and hype when deciding on making charitable donations.

• More than seven in 10 (72 percent) said a charity’s popularity in the media or trending status on Twitter made no difference in their decision to donate.

• When asked if receiving something like a memento, ornament or piece of clothing in exchange for a charitable donation would increase their likelihood to give, about half of those polled (51 percent) said no.

Other Key Findings

Despite only being in its third year, Giving Tuesday is on the minds of more than two in five social users (41 percent) who are aware of the charitable day of giving. And nearly half (47 percent) of those aware of Giving Tuesday said they planned to participate this year.

The holiday giving season is an important time for many nonprofits, and the survey results show yet another way that social activity is impacting nonprofits and their work.

“In recent years, the Red Cross has empowered our social communities to help us improve our humanitarian mission in the wake of disasters, and it has been encouraging to see so many social users talking about their philanthropic activities,” McGovern said. “As we move into the holiday season, the Red Cross is grateful for the generosity we receive from the American people year after year both through online and traditional giving channels.”

Survey details: Telephone survey of 1,021 U.S. adults (508 men and 513 women) 18 years and older on October 16-19, 2014 conducted in ORC International’s CARAVAN® survey. The online omnibus study is conducted twice a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults.

 

About our Corporate Holiday Supporters:

During this holiday season, the American Red Cross is grateful for those corporate supporters that generously contribute to our Holiday Giving Campaign. They include: Circle K West Coast and Florida Divisions, FedEx, Mazda and its Dealers and Target. Thanks to the generosity of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people across the country. This holiday season, you can Give Something that Means Something by making a financial gift or donating life-saving blood. To learn more about our corporate holiday supporters, visit redcross.org/corporate-holiday-supporters.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - December 2014

The end of the year signals more than just a time for champagne, parties and New Year's resolutions.  This time of year we are all busy planning our holiday parties, decorating our homes and businesses and purchasing those last minute presents.  With all the hustle and bustle it is easy to lose the spirit of the season. 

This year, I have requested that instead of one more sweater or the infamous fruit cake; my friends and family consider giving a gift that means something.  I have asked them to find something they are passionate about and give to it, either financially or by volunteering their time or resources. 

Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to someone in need in this country.  This holiday season, you can be a hero to those who need this assistance by giving something that means something. One way you can support is to visit the Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog at www.redcross.org/gifts and select a symbolic gift for someone on your holiday list.  Other ways you can give is by making a gift of your time by becoming a Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org/setn.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
--Julia

Letter from East Tennessee Executive Director Michelle Hankes, December 2014

The holidays are a season for giving, for remembering, and for looking forward. Each of us celebrates in his or her own fashion, but I would ask each of you to pause for a moment to consider the following things:

• Last year, East Tennessee volunteers attended 341 disaster operations, assisting 416 families with shelter, clothing, food and kindness.

• Nearly 3,000 people downloaded Red Cross Apps that will help them during flood, tornado or other crisis.

• Services to Armed Forces volunteers provided services to 1,608 military families.

• 28,738 people received training in First Aid, CPR, and AED.

The work you have done leaves a lasting imprint on the lives of countless individuals. Sometimes the effects our programs have are immediate, other times they don’t appear for years down the road. But remember: The choice you made in joining the Red Cross was vital to somebody. And if they can’t say thank you, let me. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for your community!

The most important resource we have at the Red Cross is our volunteer workforce. I would ask you to reach out to a friend this month and make an offer to them to come join you at a volunteer meeting. Have them come tour our office, or explore the online volunteer orientation. Share your experiences and your stories. Welcome them to our Red Cross family. It might be the best present you ever give.

Letter from Heart of Tennessee Executive Director, Mike Cowles - December 2014

Here we are just weeks away to saying goodbye to 2014.  We have a lot to be proud of here at the Heart of Tennessee Chapter as it has been a busy year.  To date we have been to over 200 house fires and have been able to help everyone who was affected by a fire with food, clothing, shelter, a smile and hope.  I am amazed every day of the strength our volunteers have to go out and help their fellow man even if it means going out at 3:00 in the morning or responding to multiple situations in just a matter of hours of each other.  To our volunteers I say “Thank You” for what you do and I am proud and honored to be a part of what you do.

We not only worked at house fires this year but responded to the scene of a tornado in Lincoln County, Tennessee.  Once again our volunteers were ready to give comfort to those who were in need.  Not only did Heart of Tennessee volunteers respond but others across the state came to support us and on behalf of the Heart of Tennessee family, we “Thank You”.  As you know it is a team effort when it comes to the things we do here at the American Red Cross and I am thankful that the Tennessee Region is as strong as it is and that at any time they are willing to support others.

As we wrap up 2014 I challenge you to look back on what has happened in your life and focus on all the good that has happened and continue to support your community by volunteering, helping others, doing the right things, continuing to share your financial donations so that others that are misfortunate can have a brighter day, support our men and women in uniform, love your family, love your country and be thankful for the things we have.  Have a great December and we will see you soon!

Mike

DAT+GRAM Nashville Area 11/25/14

DAT+GRAM - Nashville Area 11/19/14

Red Cross Issues Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Millions of people will travel to spend their Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones and the American Red Cross has steps they can follow to help make sure they have a safe trip.

The holiday is also a time when cooks spend a lot of time in the kitchen and there are tips they can use to avoid a cooking fire while whipping up their Thanksgiving dinner.

TRAVEL SAFETY If plans include driving, travelers should check the weather along their route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming. Everyone should use their seat belts and no one should drink and drive. Drivers should be well rested and alert and give their full attention to the road – no cell phones. Other driving safety tips include:

·         Follow the rules of the road – observe the speed limit.

·         Use caution in work zones.

·         Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers.

·         Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.

·         Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.

·         Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.

COOKING SAFETY Cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal. Never leave the stove unattended – if the cook has to leave the kitchen even for a short time, they should turn off the stove. More cooking safety steps are:

·         Check food regularly.

·         Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.

·         Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.

·         Keep anything that can catch fire - pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

·         Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

·         Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.

·         Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.

You can also download the Red Cross First Aid App to have information at your fingertips if an emergency occurs. Find out more about all of the Red Cross apps at redcross.org/apps.

How to Heat Your Home Safely

Seven times a day someone in this country dies in a home fire. Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires in the United States and occur often as cold weather sets in and people turn on their heating system.

Heating one’s home through the winter can be expensive. Because of the cost, almost half of the families in the United States use alternate heating sources such as space heaters, fireplaces, or coal or wood stoves to stay warm. These supplemental heating sources can be dangerous if not used properly. The Red Cross offers the following safety tips on how to prevent fires:

• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.

• Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.

• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

• When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.

• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

• Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

• Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year. 

Letter from Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Glenda Bobalik - November 2014

Can you believe the holiday season is so close?  Here we are in November and it is time to think about the safety of our families and homes.  You are the people who respond to help those impacted by emergencies, facilitate sessions on preparedness activities, and provide resources to make it all possible.  I now ask you to lead the way by practicing safe actions during this special time of year.

The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year-one every eight minutes -- and most are home fires. Last year, we responded 319 home fires in Northeast Tennessee.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we encourage families to prevent kitchen fires by taking some basic safety measures. Thanksgiving is the peak day for kitchen fires, and most of those are caused by unattended cooking,  The good news is that home fires can be prevented by following some simple, safety tips.

A recent Red Cross survey revealed that nearly one in five Americans (16 percent) admit to leaving food cooking unattended on the stove -- a major cause of kitchen fires. Tips to avoid cooking fires include:

·         Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

·         Keep young children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.

·         Move items that can burn away from the stove such as dishtowels, bags and boxes.

·         Clean the stove and the area around it before turning on the heat.

·         Don’t leave food on the stove unattended.

·         Turn pot handles to the back of the stove to avoid spills.

If a pan catches fire, don’t move it. Slide a pan lid or cookie sheet on top of the pan to put out the fire. Turn off the heat. Keep the lid on the pan until it cools. Never try to stop a grease or oil fire with water – it will fuel the fire.

If something catches fire in the oven, keep the door closed. Call 9-1-1 so firefighters can make sure the fire didn’t spread to the walls. If a fire occurs in the microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave if you can. Don’t use it again until a repairman checks it.

If the kitchen catches fire, make sure everyone gets out and call 9-1-1 when outside. Once outside, stay out. Never go back inside a burning building.

Download the Red Cross First Aid App at redcross.org/apps to get access to life-saving information on what to do for common, everyday first aid emergencies including burns.

You are important to the Red Cross, our community and your friends and family.  Taking time to be safe is critical for each of us.  Together let’s celebrate a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Glenda

Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - November 2014

Thanksgiving is all about food and family- turkey, stuffing, pecan pie and football.  I couldn’t be more excited.  However, preparing holiday goodies can lead to disaster.  Despite what my family may think at times, the smoke alarm isn’t a dinner bell.  In fact, the kitchen is the setting of more fires than any other room in the house, and cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home.  

While I can’t give you advice on how to keep that turkey moist (you will need to call Butterball for that); I can provide you with some tips to help prevent your holiday meal from being referred to as “remember that time…”  

Start by making sure you aren’t wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking, and never leave cooking food unattended.  If you must leave, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. 

Other safety steps include:

• Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire - pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen. Contact the local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
• Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

Even with the best of plans, accidents happen.  I have downloaded the Red Cross First Aid app on my smartphone so that I can have instant access to the information I need to handle the most common first aid emergencies.

Hoping everyone has a fun, safe and thankful holiday season.

--Julia

Letter from East Tennessee Executive Director Michelle Hankes, November 2014

As we enter into the season of thanksgiving, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the gifts and joys the American Red Cross of East Tennessee has received over the last year.

I am grateful for:

• The volunteers who deliver our mission to those who have lost their homes. They take the time to advocate for our soldiers and their families during active deployment. They sit and listen to the stories of veterans in the nursing homes. These are the people who raise their hands high when called to serve. They take hours of training, respond to calls in the middle of the night, and are there for people who are having one of the worst days of their lives.

• The donors to the American Red Cross of East Tennessee who make it possible for us to provide hundreds of nights of shelter, thousands of meals, support for veterans and their families, and health and safety training for local individuals. Without their generosity, we couldn’t provide the safety our clients need.

• The community partners who stand with us at disaster scenes or in preparedness activities give us the ability to be more than the sum of our parts. Working together, we are able to reach so many more clients and in more meaningful, long-term ways. Our partners come in many forms: churches, businesses, firefighters, United Ways, student and civic groups, and other social services.

• The Red Cross staff who work long hours because they believe in the mission. I want to thank them for pulling together, willing to stretch their limits and learn new skills, all so that they may support their volunteers better in delivering the mission.

Success does not come easily, but hard work pays off. Can you imagine what the world would be like without the Red Cross? If we dropped our burden of service, how many people would be without shelter, food and care in a time of crisis? What we do matters, even if no one ever says “thank you.”

But for all of the thousands of people you have helped, whatever your role, I will say to you, with deepest appreciation, thank you!