Community Calendar

There will be a blood drive at the Mid Coast Chapter in Topsham on May 7^th from 10 AM – 3 PM.

After the tragedies of last week, I would like to personally recognize your individual and collective contributions to the Red Cross, and recognize that without your commitment and dedication to the mission of the Red Cross, volunteers we couldn’t respond to these disasters, nor would we have the resources available to meet the emergency needs of these families and communities. Thank you for all you do each and every day to support the Mid Coast Chapter.

After traumatic and emotional events like those last week, people often want to know what to do, and preparing yourself and your family for future emergencies can help bring peace of mind. Taking actions such as downloading the Red Cross first aid app, registering for a first aid class or building a disaster supply kit can help you feel empowered to face future emergencies.

• Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies.  Sign up for a class in Topsham on May 18^th to learn CPR (adult, child and infant skills) and first aid.
• To make getting trained even easier people can now take our Family First Aid and CPR classonline by visiting www.redcross.org/takeaclass.
• Download the free Red Cross First Aid App that puts free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone and tablet users. The app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.  

I wanted to provide you with a brief update about the current Red Cross disaster operations that are continuing around the nation.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

 Red Cross Response in Boston

 The Red Cross continues to support a family assistance center in coordination with Boston-area officials and provide emotional support to the community as they recovery from the marathon bombings.

• Since the Boston bombings, more than 200 Red Cross workers have served 21,000 meals and snacks, handed out hundreds of relief items like blankets and comfort kits, and provided 2,300 mental health and health services.
• Over the last week, the American Red Cross of Maine has deployed 12 disaster volunteers to aid in these efforts.
• Those who want to make a donation to directly support the Boston Marathon bombing victims can visit www.onefundboston.org

 Red Cross Response to Midwest Flooding

The American Red Cross is also providing food, supplies, emotional support and health services in flooded communities across Midwestern states.

•  In Illinois, the Red Cross has shelters open across the state as part of our largest sheltering operation in recent years for this area. Workers are providing emotional support as well as food and water to people forced from their homes and personnel fighting the floodwaters. Workers are also handing out relief items like comfort kits, cleaning supplies, buckets and mops.  
• Along the Red River in North Dakota and Minnesota, the Red Cross is supporting sandbagging efforts by providing water and snacks as the community prepares for a potentially historic spring flood.

The Red Cross has hundreds of volunteers on the ground across the Midwest that have served more than 42,000 meals and snacks and handed out more than 3,000 relief items to date. The Red Cross will be providing help for weeks to come and has additional volunteers and supplies on standby.

 Give the Gift of Life – Give Blood

 After the tragedies in Boston and Texas, the Red Cross provided approximately 800 units of blood, platelets and plasma to help meet the needs of patients. It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives during an emergency. The need for blood is constant and each donation can help save more than one life.

Eligible donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment to give blood in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

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