Make a list of all the things that $1 can buy. Two packs of gum. A song on iTunes. A cup of McDonald’s Sweet Tea. Really, really, really cheap socks.
A chance for a healthy life.
It only costs $1 to immunize a child against the measles.
The American Red Cross is part of a movement called the Measles Initiative, a program that seeks to reduce measles deaths through supporting vaccinations. Measles has been almost entirely eradicated in the Western world, but the disease kills an estimated 540 children a day throughout the globe. These deaths are easily preventable.
Several of us on the new AmeriCorps team decided to form our own Measles Initiative committee here in Grand Rapids; we want to spread the word and partner with each of you to make a difference in children’s lives. The global measles death rate has already dropped 74% from 2000 to 2007, and we hope to help the death rate drop even further.
Be on the lookout for Measles Initiative activities coming your way. And if your church, social organization, school, or other group would like to work with us on the Measles Initiative, let us know! We’d love to talk about ways to get involved.
So the next time you buy a bottle of soda, or a package of paperclips, remember to spread the word about the Measles Initiative and what one dollar can do.
It’s happened to us all (including the artist of this comic, Chris)– we strut into a blood drive, feeling confident and that it’s only a little pinprick…then we wonder what happened as we gaze up from the floor we passed out on.
(Still, it gives you a good story that is universally relatable.)
It’s the Fourth of July this weekend, which means celebrating the independence of our nation, as well as many people lighting things on fire for entertainment. Well, we wouldn’t be your local Red Cross if we didn’t offer some safety tips for this most festive holiday!
While fireworks can provide fun and entertainment, they can also be dangerous. More fires are reported in the U.S. on the Fourth of July than any other day all year. Over 9,000 people a year are treated by emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, with a 1/3 of those people being under the age of 15. Even something as simple as a sparkler can cause burns or fires.
Here are some useful tips from your local Red Cross to help keep safe this Fourth of July and all summer long!
If possible, avoid using consumer fireworks and instead, enjoy public firework displays.
If you plan on using your own, only use legal fireworks bought from a reliable seller. Make sure to read the warning labels and check local and state guidelines for use.
Do not let children use or light fireworks.
Light fireworks on a solid surface and away from people.
Light only one at a time and do not try re-lighting a firework if it fails to work the first time. If a firework is a “dud,” wait 15 to 20 minutes and soak it in a bucket of water before disposing of it.
Only light fireworks outside and away from people, animals, dry grass and buildings.
Always keep water handy, in a bucket or garden hose.
Nothing like a little civil action first thing in the morning!
In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Convention, the Red Cross is circulating an online petition via Facebook to support teaching international humanitarian law. With a goal of 100,000 signatures by August 12, the petition promotes the Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) program and recruits advocates that can help implement EHL at local secondary schools.
Thanks to all our amazing ERV drivers, nurses, and highly trained volunteers who sacrifice their time to adminster first aid and endure listening to bands like Indigo Girls, the Wallflowers, Neko Case, and the Doobie Brothers. A hard job, but someone’s got to do it…
The new national service initiative, United We Serve, kicks off today. Take a listen to First Lady Michelle Obama’s call to action for this historic program!
The Red Cross is an organization run by volunteers and we always have many ways for local community members to get involved in the Greater Grand Rapids area.
Presenting the 10 Ways You Can Volunteer!
1. Lend a hand to a local military family.
Perform free services such as car washes, lawn mowing, repair projects, etc.
Provide childcare while parents attend important informational or support group meetings.
Mentor or teach children and students through activities such as reading, mentoring college-bound students or providing arts or sports workshops.
2. Support military veterans.
Reach out to veteran health facilities: play games, conduct exercise programs, distribute books or help plant and cultivate healing gardens.
3. Thank Red Cross contributors.
Participate in a thank-a-thon. Give 2 – 3 hours of your time to thank friends and neighbors who support the mission of the Red Cross.
4. Give the gift of life.
Become a blood donor or volunteer for a blood drive.
5. Challenge your friends and family.
Be the first to recruit the most blood donors, sign up the most participants for CPR and First Aid classes or enlist the most people to become “Red Cross Ready” by taking the 10-minute online Red Cross education program.
6. Help your neighbors be prepared for a disaster.
Distribute information on disasters common to your community—home fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.
Build disaster kits to help friends and neighbors prepare for local emergencies, or comfort kits for those personally affected by disasters.
7. Ensure emergency shelter.
Ensure your community has adequate sheltering capacity in the event of an emergency by visiting and evaluating shelter sites.
8. Share your caring and humanity with people around the world.
Join the world-wide movement to vaccinate children against measles by raising awareness of the Red Cross Measles Initiative.
Make your neighbors aware of Red Cross services to help locate loved ones in other countries separated by disasters and war.
Share the values of the Geneva Conventions by distributing information on international humanitarian law.
9. Use your technology skills.
Help your local Red Cross chapter update Web sites, post Red Cross volunteer opportunities or educate Red Cross employees and volunteers on the use of social networking Web sites.
10. Offer your resources in times of disaster.
When there is a major disaster in your local community, lend your time and skills to support the Red Cross disaster relief effort.
THE SHELTER IS CLOSING BY 1:30 PM ON SUNDAY, JUNE 21, DUE TO MOST SHELTER RESIDENTS HEADING HOME.
(Thanks to WOOD TV 8 for the photo.)
We had 130 people stay overnight at the shelter our amazing team of volunteers set up at Ionia Middle School. Most people have headed home by now (thanks to the sad news from Public Safety that their cars are stranded till Wednesday), but any clients requiring further Red Cross assistance may call (616) 456-8661.
Thank you to our over 35 local volunteers who responded and helped run the shelter! We could not have pulled this off without you!
Also, thank you to all our local media, including the awesome staff at B-93, for helping us spread the word! (We even got a call from the ABC News headquarters in New York – the story went national!)
Want to help shoulder the costs of our emergency services to the community?
Thanks to a hefty amount of rain, and hence, flooding, over approximately 1,000 concert goers at the B-93 Birthday Bash are being evacuated from the Ionia County Fairgrounds.
Your local Red Cross is setting up a shelter at the Ionia Middle School, located at 438 Union St. in Ionia. Any stranded Birthday Bashers may head there if they need assistance.
Thanks to our team of 12 volunteers who headed out with an ERV to set up the shelter, as well as our many others who are responding to help out!
