IT'S FREE! Best Buy has arranged a contest that allows youth to earn points and donate to their favorite charity. The American Red Cross is 1 of 4 charities that are competing to win $250,000 for Youth & Young Adult Services.
Want to help? It’s super easy!
1.) Only Youth ages 13-18 yrs. can register at http://www.at15.com/. (You automatically get 1500 points just by registering).
2.) Complete fun online activities and tasks to earn tons of points.
3.) Donate your points to the American Red Cross!
4.) Don’t forget to get your friends to register and donate their points as well!
Only YOUth can determine which charity receives the most moola $$$ for programs and activities that help youth volunteers make a greater impact in the community!
What are you waiting for? Voting begins NOW and lasts until July 31st!
Join the facebook event http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?eid=36571794958
Happy Voting!
-Eboni Prince, Youth Services Associate
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Local fashion and beauty representative partners with the Greater Chicago Red Cross!
These days, everyone is doing their best to cut expenses and save money. Being a college student, who is already on a strict budget to begin with, the economic downturn has really effected my beauty and fashion selections. When it comes to a great look for less, I have found a great solution in mark. Better yet, mark. has decided to partner with the Red Cross in the month of July!
mark. is an Avon organization offering a variety of make-up, skincare, fragrance, and fashion products for a fantastic price. mark. products are not sold in stores, they are sold through representatives and online. During the month of July, a Chicago representative has decided to donate all of her profits to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. To take a look at all mark products and support the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, click here . This month, when you shop mark. you can reap the benefits of a great product and low price, all while supporting the lifesaving services of the Red Cross!
Some of my favorite products from mark. include:
mark. is an Avon organization offering a variety of make-up, skincare, fragrance, and fashion products for a fantastic price. mark. products are not sold in stores, they are sold through representatives and online. During the month of July, a Chicago representative has decided to donate all of her profits to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. To take a look at all mark products and support the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, click here . This month, when you shop mark. you can reap the benefits of a great product and low price, all while supporting the lifesaving services of the Red Cross!
Some of my favorite products from mark. include: - Juice Gems Flavored high-shine gloss
Eyemarker Color On Line
Have a Heart Necklace
Self Sanctuary Honey Jasmine Body Butter
Multi-Task Weekender Bag
This is one of the many ways your everyday activities can support the Red Cross! Additional partners include; GoodSearch.com, AT&T, Flowerpetal.com, Berry Chill, and GoodShop.com. Learn how to make your dollar go farther and support the Red Cross by visiting www.chicagoredcross.org/fundraisers.
Happy Shopping!
Mari Bryerman
Community Fundraising Intern at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Need some reading material? Check out our running safety tips and local running blogs
I have been working to support the promotional efforts of the Greater Chicago Red Cross Run Red team for the Chicago Marathon, so I’ve been keeping up with a lot of local running blogs. The following are a few of the ones I’ve found fun to read. Those of you who are recreational runners or entrants in the race might find some of these resources interesting:
In it for the long run: Leslie Patton writes for runners of all abilities and goals. She offers information about running in the Chicago area and training, local races, running stores. She also writes about her experiences as a runner – unusual anecdotes about things she encounters while running: once a deer ran into her, she writes.
Chicago Running Examiner: Brenda Barrera has been running and competing in road races and triathlons for over 20 years. She was the National Web Editor for The Running Network as well as Editor for RunMidwest and Chicago Athlete.
I’m Running Red! : Barbara, one of our Run Red Team members and a contributor to Greater Chicago Red Cross News, maintains this blog on her experiences training for the Chicago marathon.
Chronicles of a First Time Runner: Rahul, a volunteer with the Greater Chicago Red Cross and a member of the Run Red Team, records his progress as he trains for the Chicago Marathon in Singapore.
In it for the long run: Leslie Patton writes for runners of all abilities and goals. She offers information about running in the Chicago area and training, local races, running stores. She also writes about her experiences as a runner – unusual anecdotes about things she encounters while running: once a deer ran into her, she writes.
Chicago Running Examiner: Brenda Barrera has been running and competing in road races and triathlons for over 20 years. She was the National Web Editor for The Running Network as well as Editor for RunMidwest and Chicago Athlete.
I’m Running Red! : Barbara, one of our Run Red Team members and a contributor to Greater Chicago Red Cross News, maintains this blog on her experiences training for the Chicago marathon.
Chronicles of a First Time Runner: Rahul, a volunteer with the Greater Chicago Red Cross and a member of the Run Red Team, records his progress as he trains for the Chicago Marathon in Singapore.
Running News Guy: If you’re training for the marathon, a 5k, or simply running because you like it, you’ll want to check out this blog by ABC7 reporter John Garcia. He is a lifelong runner and offers advice for runners of all levels.
These blogs offer a lot of great advice about running and the situations both new and veteran runners experience. One of the tasks I’ve been assigned recently is combing through our safety tips and ensuring they’re up to date. While I was looking through our Web site, I came across these Runner Safety Tips.
A lot of the tips seem like they would be common sense, but many people forget them when they hit the trails on the weekends. I ride my bicycle along the Lakefront Path every weekend, and most of the runners aren’t carrying water with them. I know there are water fountains along the trail, but staying hydrated is important. You can’t replace all the water lost during a hard run with only a few seconds at a water fountain. Make sure you know where those fountains are along the path. That’s just one example of some of the common sense things you can do to make yourself safer during your runs. Some of the other suggestions are to run on a shaded path, tell someone about your route so they can find you in case of an emergency and don't ignore pain. One more thing to consider is to dress appropriately for the weather (just like the lady in that picture to the left). All of these things can maximize the benefits of your training (or recreation) and minimize the liklihood that you'll be injured! Check them out!--Gentry Lassiter is an intern in the Marketing & Communications department of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Would you be prepared to save your pet’s life?
Many people have a close bond with their pets. Their pets are a companion, a friend, and even a part of the family.I have seen this first hand. My father loves cats; he even named his cat Sox, after his favorite team~ the White Sox. I have seen him spend countless days sitting on the couch with his favorite pet right by his side. The cat even waits for my dad to come home from work, and then hops on his lap as soon as he sits down.
I have seen this scenario played out countless times with multiple friends and family members. Whether it is dogs, cats, or any other pet, many people treat their pets as a member of the family. They play with their pets, by special treats for them, and some even bring their pets on vacations. And I know that all of these friends and family members would do just about to anything to protect their pets from harm.
American Red Cross is helping people prepare to do just that. The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago offers Pet First Aid Classes and Pet Safety Tips that help people prepare to keep their pets safe in times of emergencies.
American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is offering $10 off Pet CPR Classes and 15% off Pet First Aid Kits designed to help you learn how to keep your furry friends safe in the case of an emergency.
Learn how you can be prepared to save your pet’s life.
~Megan~
American Red Cross of Greater Chicago Marketing and Communications Intern
Friday, July 10, 2009
HAPPY FRIDAY!
If you’re one of the 9.5% of Americans that is unemployed, volunteering for the American Red Cross is a great way to avoid employment gaps and keep you active.
Layoffs are slowing, but jobs are scarce, leaving nearly 7 million Americans collecting unemployment checks and retailers looking for customers. The bad news is joblessness is at a 25-year high, with almost 1 out of every 10 Americans out of work. The good news is that the number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment insurance fell by 52,000, the Labor Department reported yesterday.
If this alarming figure includes you, there’s an opportunity to make the most of the situation by volunteering or interning at your Chicago Red Cross chapter. While you wait for the economy to rebound, keep your skills sharp and, network and make contacts while giving back to your community. At last, the up side of the worst unemployment to batter the country since the early 1980s.
Career counselors routinely advise people who've lost their jobs to volunteer for charitable organizations, both to broaden their resumes and to fill their unemployed hours. Although the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, released last September, show only a slight uptick in the number of Americans doing volunteer work, experts think the numbers this year will tell a different story.
According articles in The Examiner, The Baltimore Sun and Crain’s Cleveland Business, many recently-laid-off volunteers are looking to stay involved and broaden their own skill set to assist in their transition to another job. The volunteers are not looking to sit on the nonprofit's board, but they instead hope to join committees in which they can use their skills to help lead the organization.
I’ve personally loved my experience as a Red Cross Auxiliary Board member, with tremendous opportunities to network, take on leadership roles across a variety of projects and be a part of one of the most respected organizations in the world! For information on how you can volunteer: Complete the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago application. You may also request a hard-copy application form by contacting chicagoVR@usa.redcross.org or (312) 729-6222. To join the Auxiliary Society to participate in one of our many event and fundraising committees, click here and complete your membership by paying here.
Layoffs are slowing, but jobs are scarce, leaving nearly 7 million Americans collecting unemployment checks and retailers looking for customers. The bad news is joblessness is at a 25-year high, with almost 1 out of every 10 Americans out of work. The good news is that the number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment insurance fell by 52,000, the Labor Department reported yesterday.
If this alarming figure includes you, there’s an opportunity to make the most of the situation by volunteering or interning at your Chicago Red Cross chapter. While you wait for the economy to rebound, keep your skills sharp and, network and make contacts while giving back to your community. At last, the up side of the worst unemployment to batter the country since the early 1980s.
Career counselors routinely advise people who've lost their jobs to volunteer for charitable organizations, both to broaden their resumes and to fill their unemployed hours. Although the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, released last September, show only a slight uptick in the number of Americans doing volunteer work, experts think the numbers this year will tell a different story.
According articles in The Examiner, The Baltimore Sun and Crain’s Cleveland Business, many recently-laid-off volunteers are looking to stay involved and broaden their own skill set to assist in their transition to another job. The volunteers are not looking to sit on the nonprofit's board, but they instead hope to join committees in which they can use their skills to help lead the organization.
I’ve personally loved my experience as a Red Cross Auxiliary Board member, with tremendous opportunities to network, take on leadership roles across a variety of projects and be a part of one of the most respected organizations in the world! For information on how you can volunteer: Complete the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago application. You may also request a hard-copy application form by contacting chicagoVR@usa.redcross.org or (312) 729-6222. To join the Auxiliary Society to participate in one of our many event and fundraising committees, click here and complete your membership by paying here.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
It Used to Be a Bright House
Part of my job is to call people we’ve helped and see if they’d be up for sharing their story. Sometimes it’s still too tough for them, so I just listen. But most of the time people really want to share.
I just talked to a man whose family had a fire yesterday here in the city. Their apartment was a total loss, and he came home to see the apartment in ruins and his family standing outside:
“Everything was burnt,” he said. “It used be a bright house. The walls were bright, everything was white. When I walked in there (after the fire) everything was black and wet and broken. It was a pretty bad sight.”
His family was standing on the sidewalk, visibly distraught in front of their wrecked home, and a man passing by told them to call the Red Cross. “It was a complete stranger. That was so nice of him.” That stranger’s advice led to some immediate relief.
Within minutes, Red Cross volunteers were on the scene, including Patsy O’Kieffe. Patsy talked to the family, assessed the damage and gave them emergency assistance for food, clothing and shelter. That help meant the world to the man I spoke with today.
“The next thing we know, we’re in a pretty good position. We’re moving on,” he said.
Volunteers like Patsy go out every day with our Disaster Action Team to help local disaster victims move on.
“When I go out, I know I’m helping my community,” Patsy said. When she goes to fires, she thinks, “That could be my house. I’d want someone to be there for me, too.”
If you want to help out, become a Red Cross volunteer. Visit www.chicagoredcross.org/volunteer to learn more.
Thanks to the man who shared his story today, and thanks to Patsy and all the DAT volunteers. We appreciate you.
I just talked to a man whose family had a fire yesterday here in the city. Their apartment was a total loss, and he came home to see the apartment in ruins and his family standing outside:
“Everything was burnt,” he said. “It used be a bright house. The walls were bright, everything was white. When I walked in there (after the fire) everything was black and wet and broken. It was a pretty bad sight.”
His family was standing on the sidewalk, visibly distraught in front of their wrecked home, and a man passing by told them to call the Red Cross. “It was a complete stranger. That was so nice of him.” That stranger’s advice led to some immediate relief.
Within minutes, Red Cross volunteers were on the scene, including Patsy O’Kieffe. Patsy talked to the family, assessed the damage and gave them emergency assistance for food, clothing and shelter. That help meant the world to the man I spoke with today.
“The next thing we know, we’re in a pretty good position. We’re moving on,” he said.
Volunteers like Patsy go out every day with our Disaster Action Team to help local disaster victims move on.
“When I go out, I know I’m helping my community,” Patsy said. When she goes to fires, she thinks, “That could be my house. I’d want someone to be there for me, too.”
If you want to help out, become a Red Cross volunteer. Visit www.chicagoredcross.org/volunteer to learn more.
Thanks to the man who shared his story today, and thanks to Patsy and all the DAT volunteers. We appreciate you.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Babysitters BootCamp Is Going to Rock
When I was growing up, babysitting was my dream job. The girls who watched my brother and me on my parents’ date nights were like celebrities in our kiddie lives. We’d request Tammy, because she was the sweetest and let us stay up the latest. And she liked playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.
I was also obsessed with The Babysitters Club books and their spunky, entrepreneurial spirit. I would have been Kristy.
Needless to say, I was itching to begin babysitting. Before I could start, my mom signed me up for Red Cross babysitters training at the local fire department. We learned how to save a child from choking, how to hold an infant, and some fun games for kids of different ages and stages of development.
More than anything, I learned what it was going to mean to be in charge. If something scary happened, it was up to me to protect the kids and myself.
I used those skills in my long career of babysitting, mostly caring for the growing family across the street that (I think) peaked at 10 kids. While reading countless bedtime stories, changing diapers, giving baths and heating up zillions of bowls of mac ‘n cheese, I became a pretty great babysitter. And I grew up quite a bit, too.
This summer, kids can sign up for a two-day Babysitters BootCamp through the Greater Chicago Red Cross. They’ll learn a lot of the same skills I did, and they’ll be fully certified in First Aid and Child and Infant CPR. To learn more, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/babysit
I was also obsessed with The Babysitters Club books and their spunky, entrepreneurial spirit. I would have been Kristy.
Needless to say, I was itching to begin babysitting. Before I could start, my mom signed me up for Red Cross babysitters training at the local fire department. We learned how to save a child from choking, how to hold an infant, and some fun games for kids of different ages and stages of development.
More than anything, I learned what it was going to mean to be in charge. If something scary happened, it was up to me to protect the kids and myself.
I used those skills in my long career of babysitting, mostly caring for the growing family across the street that (I think) peaked at 10 kids. While reading countless bedtime stories, changing diapers, giving baths and heating up zillions of bowls of mac ‘n cheese, I became a pretty great babysitter. And I grew up quite a bit, too.
This summer, kids can sign up for a two-day Babysitters BootCamp through the Greater Chicago Red Cross. They’ll learn a lot of the same skills I did, and they’ll be fully certified in First Aid and Child and Infant CPR. To learn more, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/babysit
Have any good babysitting stories? Post them in the comments!
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