MLK Day of Service: Help Families with Red Cross

Volunteers needed to make a difference in communities across Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jan. 14, 2020 — As people prepare for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 20, the American Red Cross of Tennessee encourages residents to volunteer through its Home Fire Campaign with their local chapters.

Through the Home Fire Campaign’s year-round Sound the Alarm events, volunteers and community partners spend a day going door-to-door to install free smoke alarms, share fire safety information and help families create escape plans at homes in at-risk communities. Since launching more than five years ago, the campaign has installed more than 2 million free smoke alarms and saved nearly 700 lives nationwide. In Tennessee, volunteers and local partners installed more than 8,900 free smoke alarms and made more than 3,700 households safer from the threat of home fires during 2019. Basic training is provided to volunteers; visit RedCross.org/Tennessee to get involved.

“Home fires are the most frequent disaster in the Tennessee Region, and our neighbors need our community’s support to help them and their families stay safe,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive for the American Red Cross of Tennessee. “We encourage everyone to take part in this rewarding experience of teaming with fellow volunteers and connecting with local families.”

HOW TO VOLUNTEER As the nation honors the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., there are many ways that you can help in your community. Get started by visiting RedCross.org/Tennessee.

There are some immediate needs for volunteers in the region such as:

Blood Transportation Specialist, Medical Screener, Blood Donor Ambassadors, and Disaster Action Team members in rural counties.

In the face of this year’s disasters, hundreds of thousands of people turned to the American Red Cross for food, shelter and recovery support in Tennessee and across the country.

Statewide, more than 2,700 volunteers responded to many different natural disasters, including floods, high winds and tornadoes that affected their fellow Tennesseans. In addition, volunteers helped 7,036 people affected by 1,732 home fires in the state by addressing their urgent needs like food and lodging and providing recovery support.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP Want to help in another way? You can make a financial donation to support the Red Cross mission by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift. In addition, January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate the generosity of blood and platelet donors. You can make a blood or platelet donation to help save lives. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.

Severe Weather Expected Across Tennessee Jan. 10-11

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2020 - Tennessee is expecting severe weather this weekend, beginning on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. A threat of damaging winds, tornadoes, hail and heavy rainfall are all expected to cause issues for the region from Jan. 10 through Jan. 11. The primary threat to Tennessee residents is damaging winds.

Flash Flooding could be an issue on Saturday, but as the storm develops the threat for forecasted rainfall totals has decreased in the state. While rain will end by Sunday, more rain is in the forecast beginning Tuesday of next week.

The American Red Cross of Tennessee reminds everyone to be prepared for the threat of severe weather by following these severe storm safety tips:

     -Put together an emergency preparedness kit

     -Review the Be Red Cross Ready - Preparing for Severe Storms

     -Download the Red Cross Emergency App for up-to-date weather alerts, preparedness and safety information

     -Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. 

     -Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or

     -If a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building, in an enclosed area not near windows or doorways.

     -Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.

     - Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.

     -Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.

     -If you are driving during a heavy rain storm, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. 

     -If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers.

With the threat of flash flooding also a possibility as these storms roll through, follow these flood safety tips:

     -Stay away from floodwaters. If you are walking and encounter flooding, stop, turn around and go another way.

     - If you are driving, turn around and go another way. Do not attempt to drive through flooding.

     -Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.

     -Keep children out of the water.

To learn more about storm safety, visit redcross.org/prepare.

For more information, visit www.redcross.org/Tennessee. Spanish language information is available at www.cruzrojaamericana.org.