tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48234501613010311762024-02-19T18:49:03.918-08:00American Red Cross Central ValleyWe are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-3674772055275971552015-04-13T08:32:00.000-07:002015-04-13T08:32:13.571-07:00Check Out Our NEW Blog!Hi Friends,<br />
We've recently launched a new blog to encompass our entire new, ten county region.<br />
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<b>Check it out here:</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">https://redcrosscentralcalifornia.wordpress.com/</span></b></div>
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We hope you'll subscribe to get more great Red Cross stories from Central California!</div>
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Happy Reading,</div>
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Jessica Piffero</div>
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Regional Director of Communications</div>
<br />We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-23259777054843909662015-03-16T15:19:00.001-07:002015-03-16T15:19:42.165-07:008 Ways to Make a Home Fire Drill Fun for Kids!When visiting classrooms I often ask the children, ‘who has ever done a fire drill at school?’ Hands shoot up around the room with excitement. Then I ask, ‘who has anyone ever practiced a fire drill at home?’<br />
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Often we assume our children know the drill - get out and call 911. It’s important we not only talk to our children about our plans but that we also put them to practice. We recommend each household practice a home fire drill twice a year. It doesn't take much time and can be fun!<br />
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Here are a few ways to practice a home fire drill:<br />
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1. <b>Sheet of Smoke</b>: Get low and go full speed crawling.<br />
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Grab a bed sheet, open it up, with two people holding each side 3 feet above ground. Take turns crawling under the sheet of smoke (grown-ups too).<br />
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Smoke rises leaving the 3 feet closest to the ground with the cleanest air. Studies have shown you are three times more likely to be injured by the smoke, asphyxiation than by being burned in a home fire.<br />
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2. <b>Too Hot to Handle</b>: If it’s hot on the back of your hand, back away.<br />
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Shut all doors in the home and do a walk through with the children. Before opening the door to each room they must place the back of their hand on the door knob.<br />
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<li>Let them know they are checking the temperature</li>
<li>Ask them, ‘if this handle were hot what would you do next?’</li>
<li>Help them to identify a secondary exit from each room</li>
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3. <b>Can you do it blindfolded?</b> Your alarms could go off in the middle of the night and smoke can make it hard to see. Blindfold family members and help them to navigate out of the house in the dark.<br />
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4. <b>Somebody Call 9-1-1</b>: Well not unless it is a real emergency but it’s great to practice mock 911 calls and the questions they may be asked.<br />
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<li>What is your location? Emergency responders can’t be sent until they know your location.</li>
<li>What is your emergency? Help children articulate potential emergencies they may need to be prepared to phone 911.</li>
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5. <b>Its Go TIME</b>: Get your stop watches ready! Can you escape in less than 2 minutes? The only way to really know is to time ourselves.<br />
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6. <b>Ready to Roll?</b> <i>Stop, drop, and roll</i> that is. We all know these three little words but do the little ones in our household know when to act? (answer: when you’re on fire)</div>
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While practicing your drill at any time one family can yell out to another ‘YOU’RE ON FIRE’ whoever is called out must react immediately by stopping, dropping to the floor, and rolling.</div>
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7. <b>You Can Do It! </b>Building confidence is in large part the point of practicing fire drills. We want our reaction to smoke alarms to be quick and safe. Alarms going off can be scary and children may want to react in the same way they would react to other scary situations. Hiding under beds or in closets is not uncommon, Firefights know this and look in those places but time is limited and we want children to act with confidence and get out of the home safely.</div>
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Sit down with the kids and have them draw out all the times they felt strong. Maybe they had won a trophy or award for sports or playing an instrument. Maybe they felt strong when they did well in school or learned to ride a bike. Having a visual aid will help them to remember all the times they were strong and give them the confidence to overcome whatever obstacles they are faced with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids participating in the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/ca/fresno/Red-Cross-Launches-The-Pillowcase-Project-to-Prepare-Students" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Pillowcase Project</span></a></td></tr>
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8. <b>Go All Out</b>: Out the windows even! It’s not every day a grown-up says it’s okay to climb out your window. Anything this wild is bound to be fun, from the first floor that is. </div>
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Over the years windows can get difficult to open. It’s easy to theorize the escape route but sometimes practicing it you find little dilemmas. Practice as if it were the real deal.</div>
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Check out our website to learn more <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/home-fire" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">fire safety tips</span></a>. Comment below sharing other fun ways to educate children on fire safety or other disasters!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Korri Faria</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span></div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-2383560924176719952015-03-11T12:46:00.002-07:002015-03-11T12:46:57.474-07:00Latino Community Preparedness: Is This a Need?Hi all!<br />
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Well, with less than four months left in my term, I thought I would give you a Latino Community Preparedness program update. Time has flown by and this program has been so well received. I mentioned in my blog back in November, that the Latino program was created to help grow the Red Cross presence in Latino communities. This program is so much more than the growth of our presence, or the growth of bilingual volunteers. This program isn't even really about the Red Cross; it’s about the people we serve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruz Roja outreach in Chowchilla</td></tr>
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I started a partnership last year with the Fresno County Office of Education, and I have extended this partnership with the Office of Education in Merced and Kern to present to the families of the Migrant Education program. When I started this partnership, I didn’t really know what the program was about, until I met some of the families. This program was designed to help migrant families, those families who work in the fields and move with the harvest. When I learned this, I thought to myself, “this population needs to not only know how to prepare their families in the event of an emergency, but they also need to know what to do when someone is injured.” Many times these families live in small spaces or in multi-family homes, so knowing how to escape a home in the event of any emergency was important for them.<br />
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My partnership with the Office of Education was only one of my ways to interact with the Latino communities around the Central Valley. I then began a partnership with the Community Food Bank. I reached out to them so I could reach the communities being affected by the drought, which again was much of the migrant population. No water, no crops, no work, no money to feed their families or to think of emergency preparedness. There are many factors that can cause a family to not be prepared or take the time to take a <a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CPR/First Aid class</span></a>; many of these families don’t have the money, the time, or even the knowledge that there are programs out there to help them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AmeriCorps member Daniel Avina participating in the<br />Latino Community Preparedness Program at Kern Public Health</td></tr>
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Now, my program is not only for the migrant community. I had to think about the Latino population that is not part of the migrant community, and do I reach them. Last year, I was placed in the spotlight and asked to represent the Red Cross on Univision’s morning show “Arriba Valle Central.” I have continued this partnership this year, but this year I have included radio and Univision events. To be honest, I didn't know if anyone was paying attention; that is until I was spotted by my friends and clients during my presentation. Positive confirmation was given after I promoted the Home Fire Campaign event in Fresno; the audiences began to call for us to go out to help their families with smoke detectors and were very thankful for this program.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AmeriCorps member Veronica Lases<br />participating in a Spanish radio station interview</td></tr>
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As this year has gone by, I was noticing that I was reaching the population I really set out to reach, but was I actually helping them. My numbers were higher than last year when this program didn’t exist. I went from 222 Latinos presented to and 1,949 outreach to 670 presented to and 3,200 in outreach. But a question has lingered, “Is this program an actual need or am I making it a need?”<br />
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My answer came on February 11th when I conducted a presentation to a small group of migrant families in Fowler. As I began to talk about “Making a Plan”, I asked “does everyone here have a smoke detector?” The majority of the families shook their heads, and I gasped. I was not passing judgment, but felt this overwhelming sense of worry. So I received the names of the families that need the smoke detectors, and began to work on a plan to get them alarms.<br />
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In one instance we visited a client’s house and were instantly heart broken. They were migrant workers living in a house behind a main home, in between vineyards with no front door and so many possibilities for an emergency. We spoke with the woman and provided her with a smoke detector. When we left, we fully realizing why my program exists.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latino Community Preparedness Program during a Mother's Symposium</td></tr>
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The Latino Community Preparedness Program exists for those communities that feel as if there is no help for them. Yes, there is a need for Latino community outreach in the Central Valley.<br />
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If you are a Spanish speaker interested in volunteering with the Latino Community Preparedness program, <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">click here</span></a> to learn more and apply.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Veronica Lases</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Latino Community Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span>We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-6650233932124575562015-03-02T13:55:00.000-08:002015-03-02T13:55:55.575-08:00Red Cross Clubs: Youth in Action!AmeriCorps members who serve with the American Red Cross have been making a difference within their community in a variety of ways. From being present at community outreach events to responding to disaster calls, AmeriCorps members do it all!<br />
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AmeriCorps members are making a huge difference with the youth across Central California as well. The AmeriCorps members of Central California have made great efforts in partnering with local high schools and universities to create <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer/youth-services-program" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Red Cross Clubs</span></a> within campuses.<br />
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Not only are students building community partnerships and are gaining useful skills by becoming members of a Red Cross Club, they are also giving back to their community.<br />
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In Santa Barbara, AmeriCorps member Clara Von Ins has established a Red Cross Club at UC Santa Barbara. In an effort to raise money for the American Red Cross, UC Santa Barbara’s Red Cross club is hosting a movie night fundraiser. Another one of Clara’s clubs, the San Marcos High School Royals will be taking their fundraising efforts to the courts as they are planning to have a student vs. teacher’s basketball tournament. The Red Cross Royals raised over $1000 at last year’s tournament and are hoping to make another slam dunk with this year’s fundraising goal!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrHdP9NxOsp84G_QVALEi0bWskxClu-yc0-rLGUMt2x0Sarimw9xltlGUIJiiAymLySEbKqqvhwERNCk9rx822KXbgLRy6f2oZoH41w5qzfq8ZFD8AdTxFqHiPziQbk9YClNhtSfNu0/s1600/Porterville+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrHdP9NxOsp84G_QVALEi0bWskxClu-yc0-rLGUMt2x0Sarimw9xltlGUIJiiAymLySEbKqqvhwERNCk9rx822KXbgLRy6f2oZoH41w5qzfq8ZFD8AdTxFqHiPziQbk9YClNhtSfNu0/s1600/Porterville+club.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AmeriCorps Member Andrew Basham with the Porterville Red Cross Club</td></tr>
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Over in Tulare and Kings County, AmeriCorps member Andrew Basham has started a Red Cross Club with the Porterville High School Panthers. The Red Cross Panthers are roaring in community service as they are gearing up to help out with Porterville’s annual Spring Kid’s Festival where there will be food, carnival rides, bounce houses, and resource booths. Porterville’s club president Isaiah Mendoza is feeling the Red Cross spirit as he said, “We believe in showing our community as much support as possible.” AmeriCorps member Korri Faria has helped her Club at Lemoore High School raise money for the Red Cross through an old fashion bake sale.<br />
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Over in Fresno County, AmeriCorps member Alex Desiga has launched a Red Cross club in Clovis with the Buchanan High School Bears. The Red Cross Bears showed their appreciation to the <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/service-armed-forces" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Armed Forces</span></a> </span>by making <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://arccentralvalley.blogspot.com/2014/12/tis-season-to-be-selfless.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">holiday cards for veterans</span></a> </span>which were then delivered to a local veteran’s affair hospital.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmzpO_NBHPoMW7rBHsrxjw5NaT6rUCCwv-JnDnk3a87QyaH1MV9RWB878QxOgGRumOK3uJE5apLcfHm55ahCFIVrrXzE7Zmt1_eIMLA7SlJUW0ZymJfyHDwBzU2jHLyfS-X4bZ7MmcNk/s1600/buchanan+Bears+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmzpO_NBHPoMW7rBHsrxjw5NaT6rUCCwv-JnDnk3a87QyaH1MV9RWB878QxOgGRumOK3uJE5apLcfHm55ahCFIVrrXzE7Zmt1_eIMLA7SlJUW0ZymJfyHDwBzU2jHLyfS-X4bZ7MmcNk/s1600/buchanan+Bears+club.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buchanan High School Red Cross Club</td></tr>
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Throughout Central California these clubs are making their campuses and neighborhoods stronger, more resilient communities! Starting a Red Cross Club or becoming a youth volunteer is easy as 1-2-3:<br />
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1. <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer/youth-services-program" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Click here</span></a> </span>to fill out an application<br />
2. Attend an orientation<br />
3. Discover how you can use your skills and strengths to support the mission of the Red Cross!<br />
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<a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer/youth-services-program" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sign up today!</span></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Elizabeth Barragan</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central Valley Region</span><br />
<br />We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-77087159345851461132015-02-17T11:56:00.000-08:002015-02-17T11:56:34.847-08:00Global Drop-In: Checking in with the ICRCWith so much turmoil and conflict sprouting all over the world, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has had its hands full trying to support the needs of thousands of civilians across multiple nations. Let’s take a closer look and see just what the ICRC has been up to lately.<br />
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President of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, has <a href="https://www.icrc.org/en/document/iraq-greater-support-needed-uprooted-communities#.VNUAXtLF9yx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">recently returned</span></a> from a six day long excursion to Iraq to monitor relief efforts. Thousands of men, women, and children have become displaced as they attempt to flee violence in their region, and local Red Cross and Red Crescent chapters are working with the ICRC and lead officials of Iraq to provide basic necessities for these individuals. The ICRC has vowed to provide shelter, food, water, and healthcare services to those individual affected by the spreading violence.<br />
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In addition to relief efforts, the ICRC seeks to preserve human dignity by insuring that international humanitarian laws and standards are being met throughout the conflict. As a part of this mission, the ICRC will be making frequent visits to detention centers to assess the condition of detainees connected with the violence in Iraq and make sure international humanitarian standards are being met. In addition, the ICRC is working with Iraqi officials to provide accountability for armed and security forces operating within Iraq to guarantee that they are abiding by international humanitarian law.<br />
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Finally, with so many displaced individuals, families are often broken up and separated with no means of communication. Teams of Red Cross volunteers on the ground are doing everything they can to help these individuals<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do/international-services/reconnecting-families" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">reestablish communication</span></a> </span>to bring families back together. In certain cases, these volunteers are charged with the responsibility of passing along short oral ‘safe and well’ messages between separated family members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM-kS1VcVMfdgVDpnZNXsDaDeHcSRvP1jBc_qO9DXBqzEkLSYVMT-wKr6HoBxrsIitP6LdpEBmg3yGH_-zwAjhiYUfspQK7uFM9emIrED_AT7YzZudmuSuGL_z7kRssGBWgeY10h0K88/s1600/iraq-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM-kS1VcVMfdgVDpnZNXsDaDeHcSRvP1jBc_qO9DXBqzEkLSYVMT-wKr6HoBxrsIitP6LdpEBmg3yGH_-zwAjhiYUfspQK7uFM9emIrED_AT7YzZudmuSuGL_z7kRssGBWgeY10h0K88/s1600/iraq-home.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ICRC is working tirelessly to help provide relief for thousands of displaced citizens. Efforts in Iraq have jumped to the 4th largest in the ICRC’s budget, totaling roughly $78 million USD. As a whole, one-third of the organization’s worldwide budget is used to fund operations in the Middle East. <br />
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The tumultuous situation in the Middle East demands large scale humanitarian aid now, more than ever. The resources of the ICRC are limited, but every life changed through efforts to alleviate human suffering and reconnect families is a step in the right direction. While the ICRC has limited power to end conflict in Iraq, it is proud to at least be able to provide solace and sanctuary to those affected by it. <br />
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Andrew Basham</div>
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AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</div>
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Preparedness Coordinator</div>
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American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-52210673222674541152015-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:002015-02-09T16:27:01.449-08:00Love and Emergency PreparednessLove and emergency preparedness, how could these two intermingle?<br />
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I suppose, like some here in the Red Cross office, you could have a love for emergency preparedness. Or maybe being prepared for love emergencies is up your alley, such as who to call when your dozen heart shaped cookies burned and you need replacement baked goods stat.<br />
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It’s Cliff, our resident baker, you would call by the way.<br />
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My way of intermingling love and emergency preparedness is through celebrating Dia de Amor y Amistad. This translates to Day of Love and Friendship which is similar to the way Valentine’s Day is celebrated when we are in elementary school. You not only gave something special to a singular loved one, you gave a little something to each and every person in class. This is a tradition I have carried on through the years because Valentine’s Day for myself and many others is a day of love AND friendship.<br />
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So this year I am giving my loved ones and friends the gift of emergency preparedness.<br />
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This is something you too can pass on to your loved ones and friends. I am giving the special people in my life a fun love themed preparedness kit. It will have band-aids with hearts on them, a red flashlight with extra batteries of course, a CPR mouth shield (to practice mouth-to-mouth safely) and lastly some hand warmers to keep the love flame going all night long!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Alexandria Desiga</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span>We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-62066050955879329862015-02-06T09:45:00.000-08:002015-02-06T09:45:46.689-08:0015 Ways to be Prepared for 2015With the New Year now under way, we're working on keeping our resolutions. If you still haven't settled on what goals to achieve in 2015, it's not too late! A great idea is to plan to be more prepared and here are just a few ways to do so!<br />
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<b>1. Get an emergency kit together for your car</b> (energy bars, water, blanket, jumper cables, funnel, and first aid kit). This past year we heard of many incidents of people being trapped in their car during winter storms. These occurrences can happen anywhere at any time, having a kit in your car can be lifesaving.<br />
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<b>2. Learn how to turn off power and gas to house.</b> What may seem like a simple task can be daunting under pressure. Make sure multiple household members are aware of where turn offs are and when to switch them off.<br />
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<b>3. Practice home fire drills.</b> Is your household able to evacuate in under 2 minutes? Time yourselves to find out!<br />
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<b>4. Test smoke alarms. </b>Mark your calendar every month.<br />
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<b>5. Change batteries in smoke alarms. </b>Twice a year we change our clocks, why not change our smoke alarm batteries while we are at it?<br />
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<b>6. Build supply of water.</b> Having a sufficient supply of water is incredibly important. It is recommended to have, one gallon per person for a minimum of 3 days. Three gallons for each household member could fill up several carts at the grocery store. Consider adding one gallon to your grocery list each week and in no time your supply will be fully stocked!<br />
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<b>7. Fill out an emergency <a href="http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240194_ECCard.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">contact list</span></a>.</b> It is great to have an out of area contact, phone lines can get tied up if too many people in an area try getting in contact with people nearby. You will have better luck of your call connecting if you call someone further from the disaster area. <br />
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<b>8. Take a class. </b>Become <a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">certified</span></a> in First Aid, CPR & AED or another specialty certification. These skills are lifesaving!<br />
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<b>9. Secure book shelves </b>and remove items that could injure individuals if an <a href="http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240216_Earthquake.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">earthquake</span></a> were to happen.<br />
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<b>10. Build an emergency kit. </b>Have <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">supplies</span></a> gathered together to grab and go if your neighborhood is set to evacuate. Some items you may want to include: flashlights, batteries, food, water, change of clothes, blankets, toiletries, cash, coins, etc.<br />
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<b>11. Samples of medication.</b> Talk to your doctor about getting a sample of prescribed medication. Having a sample of your medication ready in your emergency kit will help you to evacuate quicker. Or consider storing a sample at a family or friends house.<br />
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<b>12. Pet supplies.</b> We must not forget about our <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/pets" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">furry friends</span></a> and reptile roomies. Be sure to include them in your plans. Packing an emergency kit with food and water for them as well. <br />
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<b>13. <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/plan" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Make a plan</span></a>. </b>Draw out a map of your home, identifying two exits from each room to escape a home fire. Be sure everyone in the household knows the plan and where everyone will meet once outside.<br />
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<b>14. Share your plans with neighbors.</b> Let them know meeting locations (both for inside and outside of your neighborhood) as well as a list of emergency contacts. If a fire were to occur they can meet you at you meeting location, cell phone in hand and emergency personnel on their way.</div>
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<b>15. Encourage family and friends to build up their kits as well.</b> When an emergency happens we want everyone to be prepared. Help make this happen!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Korri Faria</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span></div>
<br />We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-29285402280465052262015-01-16T18:04:00.000-08:002015-01-16T18:04:22.197-08:00My View of Fire PreparednessI can sit here and give you <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/prevent-home-fires" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">statistics</span></a> on why we should be prepared in the event of a home fire; 2,500 people are killed each year from home fires and 13,000 people are injured. I can sit here and tell you home fires are the biggest emergency in the United States; the American Red Cross answers a home fire every 8 minutes in the U.S. But will that convince you to prepare your family for a home fire?<br />
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You may say “yes” at the moment, but life gets busy and sometimes we put emergency preparedness at the bottom of our “to-do” list. I know I might put it on the bottom of my list and I did. Actually, it wasn’t even a thought before I was a part of Red Cross. To even try to get me to listen or even do something, I would have wanted for someone to make it real, tell me a story or an experience. That may seem silly, but tugging at the heart strings works for me.<br />
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Many times we don’t want to think “What if?” We don’t want to think about the bad things that may happen, but going into a home after something bad happens really hits hard. Some of our DAT members have answered calls where there have been fatalities, but some have been lucky enough to answer calls where it was only one room of the house that was damaged.<br />
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Last month I went on a call where the back room of the house had been set on fire; what had alerted them to the fire was the one smoke detector that worked in the home. I had a chance to speak to the woman of the house, and she said they had disconnected the main smoke detector in their home because it went off every time they cooked. I explained to them they can always move the smoke detector to another location in the home. I showed her that had it not been for the smoke detector in the back room, they could have lost the whole house.<br />
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I am always giving my friends and family tips on how they can be fire safe. I tell them to check their smoke alarms every month, make an emergency plan, and to invest in a fire extinguisher. I’m sure they must think I’m a crazy nag, but then it makes me think about all the people I meet who mention they don’t have a smoke alarm. Many of us don’t think about not having one, because it’s so normal for us to have one in our home. I guess it’s another one of those things we just don’t think about; especially when you think that a piece of plastic can save your life.<br />
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The other <a href="http://arccentralvalley.blogspot.com/2014/09/celebrating-20-years-of-americorps.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">AmeriCorps members</span></a> and I give Be Red Cross Ready presentations, and teach children emergency preparedness with <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/ca/fresno/Red-Cross-Launches-The-Pillowcase-Project-to-Prepare-Students" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Pillowcase Project</span></a>. We teach members and participants of an organization how they prepare, not just for home fires, but prepare for any emergency. We are also lead instructors during our Team Firestopper seminars; these seminars give us a chance to go into a community and teach them how to prepare their homes and families before a fire starts. We teach 6 different areas of fire prevention; get a kit, make a plan, prepare all family members, be informed, Hands Only CPR, and how to use a fire extinguisher, and at the end we give the participant a smoke and CO detector, fire extinguisher, and a surge protector. We give them what they need to be fire safe, but then what?<br />
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This month we are stepping up our fire prevention efforts. This month we have already had our <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/team-firestopper" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Team Firestopper</span></a> Fire Safety seminar in Selma, but tomorrow we will also host the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Home Fire Preparedness Campaign</span></a>. Southeast Fresno and Tulare teams will install smoke detectors for the residents of these communities. This will be our first of many in hopes to reduce home fire fatalities and injuries by 25% in 5 years. We are preparing three communities on fire prevention and preparedness all in the month of January.<br />
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Other fire preparedness events are taking place in the coming weeks. Visit <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/team-firestopper" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">our website</span></a> for more details on how you can help empower families in your community to make smart decisions when it comes to fire safety.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Veronica Lases</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Latino Community Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span><br />
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-31918482593420897532015-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:002015-01-02T10:41:07.501-08:00Giving Hope: A Local Disaster ResponseOne of the many goals of the American Red Cross during disasters services is to address our clients’ most serious human need. In most of the fire call cases I have been to the Red Cross provides: temporary housing, water, food, transportation, comfort kits, and referrals for food and clothing. The service that we provide to our clients addresses all serious human needs, and our clients are very appreciative for the comfort and hope that we’re able to provide.<br />
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Recently, the Kern Chapter was dispatch to respond to a house fire near downtown Bakersfield. Disaster Action Team (DAT) responders were able to gather comfort kits to meet the needs of the whole family. As we loaded the Emergency Response Vehicle with water and comfort kits, our lead on call remembered to bring toys to comfort the children from the disaster their family had recently experienced.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Cross DAT responders assist a family after a home fire</td></tr>
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My first contact with the client was via phone. I was able to communicate with the father of the family, and I told him the Red Cross was on the way to help them out. Arriving at the scene I was able to meet the father and I gave each family member a hug and introduced my self to the family. I told them I was here to help them out. The client was stressed because he was at a loss; his bedroom was burnt to the ground. All of the clients clothes including the clothes of his children were located the bedroom that was affected due to the house fire. The kitchen was completely affected and none of the food was saved. After completing the damage assessment, the client joined me and in the Emergency Response Vehicle and I completed the intake interview.<br />
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The next day, I was able to contact the client and do a follow up. The client communicated that they were going to live with extended family until his house got renovated. The client was able to purchase food and clothes with money that was provided. Within 24 hours, the Red Cross was able to provide all the basic needs of the family and then some. The client had a place to stay, water to drink, clothes for their kids to go to school the next day, and food. The following day, I was able to set goals with the client and also set a time frame of three weeks for his recovery plan. The client has been very impressed with the service we provide, the client did not know ARC provided all these services and was very impressed.<br />
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Red Cross DAT volunteers respond to disasters like this every day in the Central Valley. Now <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">you have a chance</span></a> to help prevent home fires and save lives in your community.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The HFPC seeks to increase the use of smoke alarms in<br />neighborhoods with higher numbers of home fires.</td></tr>
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The<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Home Fire Preparedness Campaign</span></a> </span>is a new initiative to install free smoke alarms in homes throughout the Valley. <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Join us</span></a> on January 17, 2015 in Tulare or Fresno as we work to decrease death and injuries from home fires by as much as 25%.<br />
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<a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CLICK HERE</span></a> to sign up today!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Daniel Avina</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span><br />
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-37935836560076457952014-12-18T09:16:00.000-08:002014-12-18T10:23:28.076-08:00The First Line of DefenseHousehold smoke alarms are often considered the first line of defense with regard to a family’s safety during a home fire. Families generally only have <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Saving-Lives-with-the-Red-Cross-Home-Fire-Campaign" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">2 minutes</span></a> to escape their homes before the fire becomes life threatening. It is for this reason, that functioning household smoke alarms are paramount in providing for the safety of one’s family. On average, thirty-six people suffer from a home fire every day. Tragically, seven of those thirty-six perish during these daily occurrences. Therefore, having properly maintained smoke alarms installed in a household can mean the difference between being one of the thirty-six or being one of the seven.<br />
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In a survey conducted by the National Fire Protection Association, researchers discovered that about 97% of the total U.S. population had at least one smoke alarm in their household. However, 37% of all home fire related deaths from 2007-2011 were in homes where no smoke alarm was present.<br />
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Furthermore, an additional 23% of casualties were in homes where smoke alarms were present but had been improperly tested or maintained. This translates to a casualty rate in households with malfunctioning or no smoke alarms that is <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Research/NFPA%20reports/Fire%20Protection%20Systems/ossmokealarms.ashx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">twice as high</span></a> as a household with one functioning smoke alarm.<br />
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The Red Cross recognizes the importance of having this first line of defense and has launched a <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/hfpc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Home Fire Preparedness Campaign</span></a> </span>that involves, among other aspects, free smoke alarm installations in homes without proper protection. This month, Red Cross volunteers traveled to the community of Weldon, California to install smoke alarms for 200 at-risk homes. In addition, these volunteers educated families on proper smoke alarm maintenance and the importance of making and practicing a family emergency plan.<br />
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If you would like to learn more or you would like to get involved in the prevention of home fire related suffering, please contact the Red Cross Central Valley Region by visiting <a href="http://redcross.org/centralvalleyregion"><span style="color: red;">redcross.org/centralvalleyregion</span></a>.<br />
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Andrew Basham</div>
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AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</div>
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Preparedness Coordinator</div>
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American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-40992802761309566202014-12-12T16:17:00.000-08:002014-12-12T16:17:43.876-08:00'Tis the Season to be Selfless!Ah! The holiday season is here! Shopping malls are covered with poinsettias and raging with sales, the smell of peppermint lattes is filling the air, and Christmas music can be heard almost anywhere you go. Talk shows and media outlets are filling peoples' minds with the hottest must have items to stock under Christmas trees.<br />
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As we all put time and thoughts into our holiday parties and gift ideas, we sometimes forget about the true meaning of the holidays. Bob Hope once said, “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” The American Red Cross truly gives back all year around and is a selfless organization.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob Hope performing at Lackland Air Force Base, 1990</td></tr>
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This time of the year can be devastating for those that have lost their home and most of their belongings to fires and mudslides. On Thanksgiving, I was called out to my first disaster response call. The home, where a family of five lived, was completely destroyed. The fire was caused by a candle that was left burning during the night. All the members of the family made it out of the fire unharmed; however they lost their beloved pet Pit Bull. As we spoke to the father of the family, he was overwhelmed with grief. Once we finished taking his down his information and arranged hotel accommodations and issued him a cash assistance card for him and his family, he broke down in tears of gratitude. This experience made me see how the Red Cross makes a difference in people’s lives.<br />
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The American Red Cross of the Central California Region doesn’t only respond to disaster calls. With help from volunteers and employees, our Team Firestopper campaign has canvassed more than 6,000 homes with home fire safety information since I started my service in September 2014. We taught more than 100 families on how they can help prevent home fires and keep their families safe in the case of a disaster.<br />
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During the holiday season, the American Red Cross supports our nation’s military forces with <a href="http://imgur.com/a/1aUUC" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Holiday Mail for Heroes</span></a>. The Merced chapter recently had their Holiday Mail for Heroes event at their local shopping mall where many locals came to create and send cards of thanks to the armed forces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUlEKWSETgvTgVw-65cgHO2PUVjf73TzA6gmmdFL0lxzrzJOj8YVrPpywoCCqjoAVkrZK1j6uvQ4vAQnRv5gpWnCbw1AAqA26xFKsvgqfUa5f1meHbpYAxTUQAEMXDTDpCRE5p-HgT0s/s1600/Visalia-Sorting5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUlEKWSETgvTgVw-65cgHO2PUVjf73TzA6gmmdFL0lxzrzJOj8YVrPpywoCCqjoAVkrZK1j6uvQ4vAQnRv5gpWnCbw1AAqA26xFKsvgqfUa5f1meHbpYAxTUQAEMXDTDpCRE5p-HgT0s/s1600/Visalia-Sorting5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers sorting Holiday Mail for Hero Cards</td></tr>
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You can make a difference this holiday season - or any time of the year - by <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">signing up</span></a> as a volunteer and find opportunities in which you can help the American Red Cross make your community a safer place!We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-25221970848112176942014-12-01T14:06:00.001-08:002014-12-01T14:06:13.336-08:00The Power to Save a Life is in Your HandsDid you know that there is a course designed to simplify CPR? Hands-only CPR helps everyday citizens feel more confident to provide care. <br />
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Less than 1/3 of adults who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest get the help they need because people are too afraid that they are going to do something wrong. It is important to know what to do in an emergency and equally as important to have the confidence to act. Hands-only CPR takes minutes to learn and is easy to remember!<br />
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Here is a short video to help explain hands-only CPR step by step:<br />
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Step 1: Check the scene for safety and see if the person responds to you by tapping them on the shoulder and shouting ‘Are you ok?’<br />
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Step 2: Briefly look for signs of breathing.<br />
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Step 3: If they don’t respond, call or send someone to call 911.<br />
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Step 4: If the person is not breathing or is gasping prepare to give chest compressions.<br />
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<li>Kneel beside them</li>
<li>Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest</li>
<li>Place your other hand over that hand, lacing your fingers together</li>
<li>Position your shoulders directly over your hands, keeping your arms straight with your fingers off the chest</li>
</ul>
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Step 5: Push hard and fast at least 2 inches then let the chest rise completely before pressing down again.<br />
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Step 6: Keep going until:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Person shows an obvious sign of life, like breathing</li>
<li>Scene becomes unsafe</li>
<li>An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is ready</li>
<li>Too exhausted to continue</li>
<li>A trained responder takes over</li>
</ul>
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Step 7: Get more <a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">training</span></a> and encourage others to do so!<br />
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I would encourage everyone to further their knowledge by taking a <a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">First Aid and CPR course</span></a>. It is recommended that every household has at least one member trained in these skills. Hands only CPR is a great place to start, doing something as simple as chest compressions can help. Compressions keep the blood flowing carrying oxygen which is vital in helping someone stay alive.<br />
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‘Be Red Cross Ready’ with hands-only CPR course are available at no cost through your local Red Cross Chapter. <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/preparedness-education-form" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Contact us today</span></a> to schedule a presentation!<br />
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Want to know more? <a href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sign up</span></a> for a First Aid/CPR course in your area and download our free <a href="http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">First Aid mobile app</span></a>!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Korri Faria</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span>We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-73196143886948264412014-11-20T15:33:00.002-08:002014-11-20T15:33:56.583-08:00Immunized and ConfusedI wanted to bring a few different <a href="http://redcrosschat.org/2014/10/17/debunking-a-red-cross-ebola-myth/#sthash.OFSyl7R0.dpbs" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">conspiracy theories</span></a> to you all so you could see what is floating around in the dark corners of the Web and maybe even have an answer when a member of the community asks what the Red Cross has to say about these rumors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml1E98n7AxDzk5Eug0Tnmu3u8IPf4QnnenuV0nPRe9HD-Ri1ATFTvzdotK76u7QGlZIB7y7s8O9aip9Y-gll84vRcMyyOvzqnJBPL1iBUra41pUstQVy_RVJNSaarTNQmbeJJ9dK0vaE/s1600/20140325_Guinea_Ebola_Main4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml1E98n7AxDzk5Eug0Tnmu3u8IPf4QnnenuV0nPRe9HD-Ri1ATFTvzdotK76u7QGlZIB7y7s8O9aip9Y-gll84vRcMyyOvzqnJBPL1iBUra41pUstQVy_RVJNSaarTNQmbeJJ9dK0vaE/s1600/20140325_Guinea_Ebola_Main4.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
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Over the past several weeks, the fear and lack of knowledge about Ebola has been made apparent with calls asking us to present on the topic. They want to know how the disease is spread, what the symptoms are and how likely they are to get the virus. Along with these concerns, there is a rumor that the Red Cross has been spreading the Ebola virus and that is the only way that people have been infected. Let me just state: that is FALSE!<br />
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According to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span></a>, the disease can be spread from infected human to human or infected bat/primate to human. A human can be infected with the virus through direct contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids and the virus can only enter the body through broken skin or a mucous membrane. A human can also be infected by a bat and/or primate that is carrying the infection through the same method of transfer and additionally through consuming said animal that is infected with Ebola. It CANNOT be transferred through the air or through the water.<br />
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The symptoms can appear anywhere from two to twenty-one days after being exposed and they are very similar to the flu. They can involve a fever, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, stomach pain, lack of appetite, joint and muscle ache and—the one that differs from influenza—unexplained bleeding and bruising. The virus can only be transmitted while these symptoms are present. The likelihood of getting the virus in the U.S. is low. If you are a healthcare worker in West Africa or a person living in those affected countries, than the risk is higher. As for us here, not traveling or caring for the sick, we should be worried more about the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/flu" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">flu</span></a> than Ebola.<br />
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Now to the really fun stuff: conspiracy theories!<br />
The current theory that hits closest to home is about our Red Cross. If you have not heard it already, it has been rumored that the Red Cross is in cahoots with the U.S. government to infect the people of Africa so that the government can sneak into Africa for its diamonds and oil.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP3x5H4Ur2fJTFaohL-1LxV-KKMgAoZF1uMEcr6oGBUyYh1K4Dx3V4THeteaX82sjMBPXjSkmeK6aW2G-Xf8-ef4P29ulYigsr1oQGY09sK8LyN3hqQKmqrOIKOZZqNsTUGJOO5bk6Vs/s1600/ebola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP3x5H4Ur2fJTFaohL-1LxV-KKMgAoZF1uMEcr6oGBUyYh1K4Dx3V4THeteaX82sjMBPXjSkmeK6aW2G-Xf8-ef4P29ulYigsr1oQGY09sK8LyN3hqQKmqrOIKOZZqNsTUGJOO5bk6Vs/s1600/ebola.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Ebola virus and its varying strands have been around for decades, since 1976. Additionally, the Red Cross does not force vaccinations, and is not a government agency tied exclusively to the United States. The Red Cross an <a href="http://www.ifrc.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">international organization</span></a> that provides humanitarian relief to those who need it across the globe. At no time could the American Red Cross have more power over the other Red Cross and Red Crescent chapters.<br />
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Lastly, I will leave you with an excerpt from the American Red Cross’s response that I feel shows how amazing the Red Cross and its volunteers are and how a few crazy conspiracy theorists are not going to bring us down!<br />
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“These allegations are an insult to the 4,000 local volunteers- themselves citizens of West African nations-who have been working tirelessly to help their neighbors. These volunteers have worked around the clock to provide prevention education, assist with burials, and provide comfort to families impacted by Ebola. In addition, the Red Cross opened a 60 bed treatment center in Sierra Leone. Patients have already started to recover and have been released from the center.”<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Alexandria Desiga</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central California Region</span>We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-20883549987270306072014-11-05T11:25:00.000-08:002014-11-05T11:25:45.301-08:00Guess Who's Back?!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Guess who’s back, back again, Vero’s back, tell a friend! So yes ladies and gentlemen, I am back for a second year of AmeriCorps, preparedness, and <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/be-prepared/team-firestopper" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Team Firestopper</span></a>. This year has already been adjustments all around. I had to say good bye to coworkers who made up the preparedness team and my AmeriCorps team. I have welcomed five new AmeriCorps members to our team; two of which I share a cubicle with, and welcomed a new boss. All these changes would be enough to drive Sheldon crazy, but not me! Let me explain these changes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Change #1: five completely different personalities, than Thing 1 and Thing 3 (yes Dr. Seuss reference) from last year, came into my world. At first meeting, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get along with them. This AmeriBunch, as I like to call the whole group, they’re a great group. They go from the theatrical to the “let’s get down to business” types. When it’s fun time, we laugh and dance our time away, and business time, we get things done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Change #2: What I call, the ol’ Switch-a-roo. My boss Alex was called to duty at Red Cross HQ, which meant he had to leave the AmeriBunch in someone else’s hands. To be honest, I was worried and anxious and scared, I was </span><a href="http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7k6ab5grD1r9ljhqo1_500.gif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">becoming Sheldon</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> (again with the Big Bang Theory reference), but then I found out Amy would take over. As excited as I was, I was worried. How was she going to help me with Change #3?! It’s been two months, it’s been all about transition, but all is well with the AmeriBunch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">So Change #3, well, this actually began during last term. Part of my assignment as AmeriCorps was to cover bilingual presentations, events and media. As time went on, we realized the Latino community that was not fully being reached. We would hear that many of our Spanish speaking emergency clients would deny Red Cross assistance. We then wondered if this was because of a language barrier and/or misinformation on how the American Red Cross can help our Latino communities. We know many have a misconception of the American Red Cross. It was almost distrust, a feeling that we would not help them because they did not have proper credentials or their citizenship was questionable. I understood, how not knowing if an organization would help, could feel and I felt that we should do something to break this barrier.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">From this desire to help our Latino communities was the creation of our Latino Community Preparedness program. This program is designed to inform these communities on how they can prepare for any emergency, and how they can help save a life. It is completely focused on Latino (Spanish speaking) communities throughout the Central Valley and Kern counties. I am also hoping to grow our bilingual speaking volunteers and encourage them to gain experience from this program. A future, personal goal is to have this grow not only with Latino community, but also with other cultures with language barriers. I am bilingual in English and Spanish, but if I can encourage those who are bilingual in other languages, this program can grow and we can help more communities. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">I’m sure from other blogs written by the AmeriBunch, you were expecting to read on how to prepare for some emergency, but I felt like I needed to share my experience coming into a 2nd term of AmeriCorps and having things flip. I knew I was ready for the changes and as scary as they seemed; they were actually very exciting. Cheers to the next 8 months!</span></span></div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-79195792947756519502014-10-21T16:08:00.001-07:002014-10-21T16:08:47.495-07:00Have You Made Your Emergency Kit for the Zombie Apocalypse?It has been over 6 weeks since I began my journey here at the American Red Cross. I am pleased and excited to collaborate with the fantastic <a href="http://arccentralvalley.blogspot.com/2014/09/celebrating-20-years-of-americorps.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">six AmeriCorps members</span></a> this upcoming year. With all of our past experience, ambition, and determination I am confident that all six of us will get things done for future AmeriCorps members to follow.<br />
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Within these six weeks I have learned so much and have seen many wonderful humanitarian efforts the Red Cross provides nationwide and even in the community I live in. I have engaged in presentations that educated and prepared families to be safe for disasters, and provided assistance to families after a house fire. It is a great pleasure to see the smiles of each family member when we show up to community events or during a disaster response. I am excited for what the future holds for me at the Red Cross.<br />
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I cannot stress how important it is to have an <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-and-services/be-prepared/family-game-plan" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">emergency kit</span></a> in your household. During my presentations I have seen on an average of five audience members have kits. A kit will provide you the basics in order to live on your own until first responders arrive. Therefore having a kit will develop you to be more independent rather than depending on others to take care of your family. A kit should consist of water, food, documents, first aid and many more.<br />
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Many of us watch the show <i>The Walking Dead</i>, where they even stress the importance of having a kit as well. You cannot always depend on Daryl or Rick to take care of you during a zombie apocalypse. You should be prepared at all times. I was looking at previews for the upcoming season of <i>The Walking Dead</i> and came across this amazing item:<br />
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<i>The Walking Dead</i> offers a <a href="http://shopthewalkingdead.com/the-walking-dead-survival-kit/details/29322111?feature-name=accessories&feature=29291294" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">survival kit</span></a> at a reasonable price that includes the following:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Emergency food ration</li>
<li>First aid kit</li>
<li>LED flashlight</li>
<li>Blankets</li>
<li>Ponchos</li>
<li>Waterproof matches</li>
<li>Face masks</li>
<li>And packets of water</li>
</ol>
If Daryl and Rick are fighting for their life from these flesh eating ugly zombies, I think you should make an investment and begin your kit for your family. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Daniel Avina</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Preparedness Coordinator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">American Red Cross Central Valley Region</span>We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-81657238288696647472014-10-08T16:20:00.001-07:002014-10-08T16:20:51.203-07:00Volunteers to the Rescue!The American Red Cross relies heavily on the help of volunteers. Volunteers help our organization in many different ways, from helping out Red Cross staff in the office to assisting clients on disaster calls. I have been an AmeriCorps member serving in the Central Valley Region for over three weeks now and I have worked side by side with many Red Cross volunteers.<br />
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My first opportunity to work with Red Cross volunteers was at the 2014 <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/ca/fresno/Taste-of-River-Park-Benefiting-Red-Cross" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">A Taste of River Park</span></a> event. This fun event provided guests with great food, drinks, and fashion shows. The best thing about this event was that a portion a of the ticket proceeds helped benefit the Red Cross. At this event, I was able to see how the Red Cross in the Central Valley Region came together to work as team. The Red Cross employees and volunteers worked diligently to make sure guests had a great time.<br />
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But I want to share a positive experience I had with a specific volunteer and how she saved the day.<br />
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A fellow AmeriCorps member, Alex Desiga, needed assistance with three presentations that she had scheduled at a military base. The coordinator at the base needed two children’s safety presentations and a Be Red Cross Ready presentation for adults. All three presentations needed to be done simultaneously so a volunteer and I assisted Alex by presenting Masters of Disasters and Andrew Bashman from the Visalia office presented <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/ca/fresno/Red-Cross-Launches-The-Pillowcase-Project-to-Prepare-Students" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Pillowcase Project</span></a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMluqmlokBHxr8OCSgm5tJSxMYJFAf390CY1i5vNGCnpgJN3c23pTBSP_3sdqMOnLN0dLLRyZ7oJ1ZTBxY1TaUwyGkmkrZRYq2-F1ZgUSto1bNAGOPRDtR1uT-p1OtmbecnAFaq6qLPAc/s1600/blogpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMluqmlokBHxr8OCSgm5tJSxMYJFAf390CY1i5vNGCnpgJN3c23pTBSP_3sdqMOnLN0dLLRyZ7oJ1ZTBxY1TaUwyGkmkrZRYq2-F1ZgUSto1bNAGOPRDtR1uT-p1OtmbecnAFaq6qLPAc/s1600/blogpic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left to Right: Alex Desiga, Elizabeth Barragan, Nicole German, Andrew Basham</td></tr>
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Nicole German, the volunteer that assisted me with the presentation is a nursing student at Fresno City College and she is volunteering with the Red Cross to get presentation experience. We only had a handful of children for our Masters of Disasters presentation. In our group of children, there was a little girl that was hard of hearing. Her mother was by her side as she seemed timid and uncomfortable. Her mother had to leave her side to attend other matters, and this made the little girl so upset to the point where she started to cry.<br />
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As I went to attend to the distressed girl, Nicole stepped up to the plate and was able to continue with the other children and presentation. I was able to educate the little girl on safety and preparedness on a one on one level, which made her feel comfortable to the point where she was able to joined the other children at the end.<br />
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The coordinator and the little girl’s mother were so grateful and pleased with how we handled the situation. I was also thankful to have Nicole there volunteering with me. I know it would have been a stressful situation for me if she was not there.<br />
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Volunteers perform 98% of outreach and disaster response in the Central Valley and are essential to the Red Cross mission.<br />
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Registering to volunteer is easy! <a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/volunteer" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Click here</span></a> to sign up today.<br />
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Elizabeth Barragan<br />
AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015<br />
Preparedness Coordinator<br />
American Red Cross Central Valley Region<br />
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-4892525313508441362014-09-29T14:14:00.000-07:002014-09-29T14:14:34.950-07:00AmeriCorps: Hitting the Ground Running<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello everyone! My name is Andrew, and I am excited to be a part of this year’s AmeriCorps team working with the American Red Cross. We are a total of six this year working with the Preparedness team in the Central Valley Region, and boy did we have to hit the ground running.</div>
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Our predecessors laid down great groundwork in our communities, and it will be a challenge to live up to and exceed all of the work and hours they put in before us. However, I know that we have a highly motivated team that is more than ready to live up to the challenge. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkP6ClTc0eZCGNov_Nq5u4mpkSnx6y5xrWWwwXcs2rOseGbsImrfic-Qhwk-3Ww8RKdiABfihlRKC4KA85OXQT9NUyMdUtwIE873AjaBGHTgqM_1CXamR646jnRFWBhPG_8Q6RhRXCfo/s1600/blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkP6ClTc0eZCGNov_Nq5u4mpkSnx6y5xrWWwwXcs2rOseGbsImrfic-Qhwk-3Ww8RKdiABfihlRKC4KA85OXQT9NUyMdUtwIE873AjaBGHTgqM_1CXamR646jnRFWBhPG_8Q6RhRXCfo/s1600/blog+pic.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Veronica, Korri, Andrew</td></tr>
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The first few weeks have been a bit hectic with training, and it had me rearing to get out into the community to meet our neighbors and spread the Be Red Cross Ready message. My counterpart for Tulare and Kings Counties, Korri, and I were accompanied by our Latino Community Preparedness Coordinator Veronica on our first community outreach presentations. We were honored to speak in front of three 6th grade classes at John J. Doyle Elementary school in Porterville, CA. The children were eager to learn how to create their own preparedness kits and emergency action plans. What’s more is they pledged to take this new information home with them to share with the other members of their household.</div>
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And so our mission is well underway. I am excited to meet and teach members of our surrounding communities over the course of the next year. I have no doubt that the time will fly by, and that we will leave our communities in a more knowledgeable and safer place than they were before.</div>
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Andrew Basham</div>
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AmeriCorps NPRC 2014-2015</div>
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Preparedness Coordinator</div>
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American Red Cross Central Valley Region</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-35501896061281596982014-09-12T09:51:00.000-07:002014-09-12T09:51:53.951-07:00Celebrating 20 Years of AmeriCorps: #GettingThingsDone For The Central Valley<div class="MsoNormal">
How many people get to say they were welcomed to their new job by four different U.S. Presidents? Well here in the Central Valley we know at least 6 who can say that they were.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuttvChds-0JgyhFQbsLZsLuUsODuYU21j5rfLtbduA5Kxu-J8UHfKOI-GhgHvM8Q8Ece6rEmh5Qwsgfwa4siFFACqlrBI5VtOfMWhpu91FoCjtbkLjODf1MbEwCPztzd-OvriicN_iqg/s1600/americorps-presidents.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuttvChds-0JgyhFQbsLZsLuUsODuYU21j5rfLtbduA5Kxu-J8UHfKOI-GhgHvM8Q8Ece6rEmh5Qwsgfwa4siFFACqlrBI5VtOfMWhpu91FoCjtbkLjODf1MbEwCPztzd-OvriicN_iqg/s1600/americorps-presidents.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Veronica, Elizabeth, Alexandria, Korri, Daniel, and Andrew are the new <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">AmeriCorps NPRC</span></a> members for the Red Cross Central Valley, and they were officially sworn in today by President Barack Obama, alongside Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and George H. W. Bush. The special event was organized to honor the 20th Anniversary of the AmeriCorps program, which was founded in 1994 by President Clinton.</div>
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The event was live streamed from the South Lawn of the White House with AmeriCorps members simultaneously pledging service from their offices around the country. Here in the Valley, the six new members participated in the Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield Red Cross offices surrounded by volunteers and employees cheering them on and welcoming them into the Red Cross family.</div>
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Here’s video of Elizabeth, Veronica, and Alex participating from the Fresno office:</div>
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Now that they’re official, the Red Cross Central Valley AmeriCorps team will work in our community for the next 11 months, responding to disasters and increasing community preparedness through outreach and education.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq8CIWe0xTmhgEBY5CSkHSaQ-vi3wnwnqDQvn_JiPJ2G5HbBbKnuBw6JmngHYRc2nh6g9W8KzKg32KDCaeDBSxdN0gH-A0UiZs6kpFbD_9Du9SoGv0raG39uxHltPwgT8lMo1q0AkboU/s1600/americorps+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq8CIWe0xTmhgEBY5CSkHSaQ-vi3wnwnqDQvn_JiPJ2G5HbBbKnuBw6JmngHYRc2nh6g9W8KzKg32KDCaeDBSxdN0gH-A0UiZs6kpFbD_9Du9SoGv0raG39uxHltPwgT8lMo1q0AkboU/s1600/americorps+pic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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To honor the milestone anniversary, Voices for National Service has issued a <a href="http://www.voicesforservice.org/pdf/AmeriCorps20years_FinalMR_p.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">report</span></a>, with a forward written by Chelsea Clinton, celebrating 20 years of service and impact through AmeriCorps. The report chronicles the history of AmeriCorps and celebrates the transformative impact AmeriCorps members have in local communities each day.</div>
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Now you can celebrate with us! Check out these <a href="http://nationalservice.tumblr.com/post/97302575252/how-americorps-gets-things-done-in-the-last-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">infographics</span></a> from the Corporation for National & Community Service Blog, highlighting all the work AmeriCorps has done over the last two decades. Then join the conversation online using the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23gettingthingsdone&src=typd" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#GettingThingsDone</span></a> to welcome the new AmeriCorps members and celebrate 20 years of service.</div>
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We can't wait to see how these six talented AmeriCorps members will get things done with Red Cross Central Valley!</div>
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Jessica Piffero</div>
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Regional Director of Communications</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-57326216423284514732014-07-05T14:00:00.000-07:002014-07-07T10:00:22.877-07:00Whoopie! Red Cross Partners with Eddie’s Bakery for A Delicious Fundraiser<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever had a whoopie pie? It’s basically superior to
all other desserts. Why? Because it’s like a cross between a cake, a pie, AND a
cookie. It’s a triple threat! And for the month of July it can be all yours at <a href="http://eddiesbakerycafe.com/"><span style="color: red;">Eddie’s Bakery</span></a> for just $2.95.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And what makes this delicious treat even sweeter? Proceeds
from the sale go to your local American Red Cross! So it’s basically guilt free
- have a second one!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWwxYuTVSo5inA_hSOI2GVqIEJ1Y6K0_jATXRoi2g-IM39RFe-Uc1Fv642K7Y3-5dSBt8zQwPk9v_0mBGmbIufI8DN_IfQli1Du2QAKwLMg8IHxOp71nRq1A2QDm5tjcJHFq21N4xU-U/s1600/EddiesBakery-Social-SM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWwxYuTVSo5inA_hSOI2GVqIEJ1Y6K0_jATXRoi2g-IM39RFe-Uc1Fv642K7Y3-5dSBt8zQwPk9v_0mBGmbIufI8DN_IfQli1Du2QAKwLMg8IHxOp71nRq1A2QDm5tjcJHFq21N4xU-U/s1600/EddiesBakery-Social-SM.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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These heavenly treats are made from two decadent red velvet
cake pieces united by a sweet cream cheese filling sandwiched between.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rbaYvKv2LUiy1jiwPdw-uAI7tu7ZUvq5Kcl1YQup6lvAyHiprfZfkiPOxnVIH_TYK1fD2YnTPcNYbuYGCYnXCl808MOlj1A172WNazDGP_x_cQxHv41VfpLBPdUmUZGoFqfafwKj90g/s1600/Whoopie-Cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rbaYvKv2LUiy1jiwPdw-uAI7tu7ZUvq5Kcl1YQup6lvAyHiprfZfkiPOxnVIH_TYK1fD2YnTPcNYbuYGCYnXCl808MOlj1A172WNazDGP_x_cQxHv41VfpLBPdUmUZGoFqfafwKj90g/s1600/Whoopie-Cut.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.</div>
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So buy a special treat for someone you love, or pick up a
dozen for the holiday barbecue, or surprise everyone at the office with an
afternoon snack! You’ll feel good knowing that the money is going towards a
great cause like the Red Cross.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eddie's Bakery is located on the <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?sll=36.83858,-119.754694&sspn=0.0065945,0.0109864&cid=13697837238863592866&q=Eddie%27s+Bakery+Cafe&output=classic&dg=ntvb" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Northwest corner of Herndon & Cedar</span></a> in Fresno, right behind Applebee's. The fundraiser runs for the whole month of July.</div>
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Jessica Piffero</div>
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-57975999546239875232014-07-03T10:08:00.001-07:002014-07-03T10:08:10.955-07:00An AmeriCorps NPRC FarewellWell folks, the time has come. Today marks the end of my AmeriCorps NPRC term. I can honestly say that this has been one of the best decisions I have made in my 24 years of life. 11 months ago, I arrived in Bakersfield after a long road trip from Indiana. I didn't know a single person here except for one of my now greatest friends Amy Mayer, who I had only spoken to over the phone and through email. Two days after my arrival I found myself in the Fresno office, sitting in between my colleagues Veronica and Amitai. We were bombarded that day with numbers and goals to reach, and at that point the three of us were a little intimidated, yet up for the challenge. The next day we were in airports, headed to DC for training and some team bonding time...and boy was that fun! <div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVUztTKPPpo8PbZUggDgpm3yPizNBXqEp0izPvibSDQQLVObvc3LaN8tHgGPn3wBbPZzoP9c2v0jrOqq4b6ROt4Vint_p-5Orxn_VTyAGe5-tf27dKW_vWRWau_xdXADsYGbjjhUDHo8/s1600/White+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVUztTKPPpo8PbZUggDgpm3yPizNBXqEp0izPvibSDQQLVObvc3LaN8tHgGPn3wBbPZzoP9c2v0jrOqq4b6ROt4Vint_p-5Orxn_VTyAGe5-tf27dKW_vWRWau_xdXADsYGbjjhUDHo8/s1600/White+House.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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Since our return from DC, time has flown by. I've been asking myself in the weeks leading up to the end of my time here, "Where has the time gone?" From the early morning Team Firestopper community canvassing events, to the fire safety seminars, to Save-A-Life Saturdays, to spontaneous DAT calls, to community outreach events, to almost 100 presentations here in Kern county - okay, I guess I can see how the time flew by. There was never a dull moment. I'm finishing my term with so much experience, and feelings of great accomplishment and gratitude - gratitude to all of the people who have supported me, guided me, made me laugh, and made me feel like this was my home away from home. </div>
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Just a few things before I say my final goodbye:</div>
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A HUGE thank you to the Kern Chapter Staff - Each of you know how much you mean to me. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend my time here with you ladies. You've been my second family, and you will never be forgotten. All of the support, guidance, laughs, good mornings, and see you tomorrow's have helped in making my time here so rewarding. Both personally and professionally, I love you all.</div>
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Another HUGE thank you to all of the volunteers. It has been such a pleasure getting to know each of you both personally and professionally. I've learned so much from you guys. The passion each of you has for the American Red Cross and volunteerism in general is astounding, and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.</div>
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To my supervisor, Alex - I'm pretty sure Veronica, Amitai and I were the luckiest of all AmeriCorps NPRC members in the country. You put up with the three of us for 11 months! My sincerest apologies for all of the gray hairs, eye rolls, and screams into your pillow. You pushed each of us, allowing us to see what we're capable of. I've learned so much from you, and this experience as a whole, and I can't thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of the Central Valley team. Also - on top of being the best boss I've ever had, you can quote as many lines from The Office as me, and I think that's pretty darn cool. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IpDZyV9R8Lh3yk-ku27QfzLOWNPQnauQmeV-E_MnTU0nG1KH0WuMC4PEQ6p1_kP__drKSsD9GqOUHqnW9M9W7zZFfgAESlnQmpfy5NIxmAdjDhyphenhyphenTLkYUwW3OtMYrIpEE4b9btT64PDU/s1600/Prep+Squad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IpDZyV9R8Lh3yk-ku27QfzLOWNPQnauQmeV-E_MnTU0nG1KH0WuMC4PEQ6p1_kP__drKSsD9GqOUHqnW9M9W7zZFfgAESlnQmpfy5NIxmAdjDhyphenhyphenTLkYUwW3OtMYrIpEE4b9btT64PDU/s1600/Prep+Squad.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Last, but certainly not least, a thank you to my fellow AmeriCorps members Veronica and Amitai. When I look back at my time as an AmeriCorps member, I will think of you guys first. We've been through a lot together. We've laughed, we've cried, we've argued, we've competed, and together we've achieved so much for the Central Valley Region of the American Red Cross. We had our moments, but in the end we made one heck of a team. You guys have shown me the importance of teamwork, the importance of service, and the importance of laughter. You each have such bright futures, and I can't wait to hear all about the fantastic things you guys are going to do. Both personally and professionally, I love you.</div>
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Way to go Prep Squad! Thanks for the memories!!</div>
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Love, Sam</div>
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Samantha Minks</div>
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<i>AmeriCorps NPRC 2013-2014</i></div>
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Preparedness Coordinator</div>
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American Red Cross</div>
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Central Valley Region</div>
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-70025549365806019342014-06-26T14:26:00.000-07:002014-06-26T14:26:15.368-07:00Prepare-aphernalia: Emergency Water In A Can!<br />
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<b><i>Pop
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<i>How much water should you have in your home
emergency kit?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>When was the last time you checked the
expiration date on your emergency water supply?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Were you
able to answer these questions correctly? Many people already know that the Red
Cross recommends storing one gallon of water, per person, per day for three
days as part of a home emergency kit. But many more may not realize that their
water supply could be expired!<o:p></o:p></div>
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What’s the
solution to this drinking dilemma? One California business has the answer. <a href="http://www.worldgrocer.com/canned-water-s/2.htm"><span style="color: red;">World Grocer</span></a> has
developed Emergency Canned Drinking Water with a shelf life of 30+ years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The makers
of this life-saving resource have <a href="http://www.redcross.org/news/article/ca/fresno/World-Grocer-Makes-Donation-of-Emergency-Water-to-Local-Red-Cross"><span style="color: red;">donated
67 pallets</span></a> of the specialized canned drinking water to the American Red
Cross Central Valley Region for drought relief efforts. Because of California’s
historic drought conditions, the local Red Cross expects to see a record number
of drought emergencies this year. So it’s more important than ever this summer
to make sure you include water as part of your emergency kit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Check out
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nwz-HKzpEDY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><o:p> </o:p></div>
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What else is
in your emergency kit? Tell us in the comments!</div>
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Regional Director of Communications</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-88162075259851443852014-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:00:12.058-07:00Vine Your Support for World Refugee Day!<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYzBpGYPcRDNvSwdfSGZaWINAbPnsQMyNW4mVl9ySF_fe09kn9ewciUWTZw6WxU0Mwc-S7PHILM8T9-s-QCsSNDwu1SiO6uwLaHXcxW8EIPkrk3aWzT0T7pmG1yIApl2y92zsfX-Lw9o/s1600/WRD+Flyer+(IRC-ECDC-ARC+Event).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYzBpGYPcRDNvSwdfSGZaWINAbPnsQMyNW4mVl9ySF_fe09kn9ewciUWTZw6WxU0Mwc-S7PHILM8T9-s-QCsSNDwu1SiO6uwLaHXcxW8EIPkrk3aWzT0T7pmG1yIApl2y92zsfX-Lw9o/s1600/WRD+Flyer+(IRC-ECDC-ARC+Event).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>The American Red Cross and its partners invite you to join in celebrating this year's <a href="http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do-international-services/reconnecting-families/world-refugee-day" target="_blank">World Refugee Day</a> on Friday, June 20!</div>
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For World Refugee Day, the Red Cross is having a <b>Vine Your Support</b> contest. Participating in the contest is easy!</div>
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Just post a Vine sharing why and/or how you support refugees worldwide and in your local community. Then, <a href="mailto:jonathan.dillon@redcross.org" target="_blank">send us an email</a> linking to your entries. The winning entries will then be reposted on the Restoring Family Links <a href="https://twitter.com/intlfamilylinks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> the week of World Refugee Day and shared during the World Refugee Day event.</div>
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<b>The deadline for entries is Sunday, June 15.</b></div>
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Needs some Vine inspiration? Here's some tips!</div>
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<li>Try filling in the blank:</li>
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<li>I support refugees because _______.</li>
<li>I support my local refugee community by _______.</li>
<li>I celebrate World Refugee Day to/because _______.</li>
<li>World Refugee Day is important because _______.</li>
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<li>Use this year's themes:</li>
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<li>One family forced to flee is too many (<a href="http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home" target="_blank">UNHRC</a>)</li>
<li>Celebrating our identities (<a href="http://www.rescue.org/us-program/us-silver-spring-md/suburban-washington-resettlement-center-opens-doors-welcoming-communi" target="_blank">SWRC</a>)</li>
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<li>Show your involvement with your local Red Cross chapter or refugee community</li>
<li>Check out some <a href="http://redcrosschat.org/2014/02/14/the-valentine-tale-of-clarence-barton/#sthash.kK4tKwAd.dpbs" target="_blank">other Vines</a> to inspire ideas</li>
<li>Don't be afraid to get creative!</li>
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Each contestant is allowed a maximum of 5 submissions. And remember, the deadline is this Sunday, so get your Vines submitted to <a href="mailto:jonathan.dillon@redcross.org">jonathan.dillon@redcross.org</a> before June 15!</div>
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<a href="http://www.redcross.org/ca/fresno/local-programs-services/restoring-family-links" target="_blank">Click here</a> to learn more about Restoring Family Links.</div>
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Good luck!</div>
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Jessica Piffero</div>
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Regional Director of Communications</div>
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-1918914107086820642014-05-15T15:57:00.000-07:002014-05-15T15:57:48.389-07:00Teamwork: The Secret To Red Cross SuccessHistory has proven that when humanity works as a team towards a common goal, we can accomplish great things. From building skyscrapers that pierce the sky, to political revolutions, and even to Super Bowl victories, societies around the globe have proven that with a little collaboration, we are capable of grand achievements.<br />
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Often times, great teamwork leads to amazing achievements in our own community.<br />
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Last Wednesday the Fresno Inn was <a href="http://www.yourcentralvalley.com/story/d/story/fresno-inn-condemned/16871/KyWGzhY9MECixZdazLDrRQ" target="_blank">condemned</a> due to unsafe living conditions. When a gas leak was discovered soon after, residents were quickly and suddenly forced from their homes. The local Red Cross responded, providing food assistance to more than 30 families.<br />
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But what was truly amazing about this particular disaster relief call was the display of teamwork that was seen throughout the event. Agencies and non-profits alike joined forces to assist the residents in need. Red Cross coordinated efforts with community partners like the <a href="http://www.ccadt.org/" target="_blank">Central California Animal Disaster Team</a> who provided assistance for the numerous pets living at the hotel. The Development and Resource Management Department, Department of Public Works, and the Fresno Area Express volunteered their services and provided transportation to the temporary hotel and made sure other needs were met.<br />
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But the teamwork didn't stop there. The Fresno Inn residents, who before that day had mostly been anonymous neighbors to each other, banded together to problem solve and help those in need. These residents, who desperately needed help themselves, were selflessly looking out for others.<br />
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An elderly resident with a pacemaker and heart problems was cared for by the family next door. When one resident’s dog escaped during transport, neighbors rallied in the parking lot to catch the dog and bring him safely home. In yet another instance, a resident helped his neighbor load heavy boxes into a car.<br />
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In the face of this stressful event, these moments of caring and sacrifice shined brightly through the chaos. Neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers providing comfort and resources. Agencies protecting those in need. It was a beautiful moment of community teamwork: individuals coming together to provide a safe haven for dozens of residents who needed help.<br />
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Every day the American Red Cross teams with volunteers, community partners, and agencies to provide compassionate care for those in need. Would you like to join our team? Visit <a href="http://www.redcross.org/support/volunteer">http://www.redcross.org/support/volunteer</a> to learn more!<br />
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Jessica Piffero<br />
Regional Director of Communications<br />
<br />We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-36347851837312876722014-03-28T10:49:00.000-07:002014-04-02T11:50:11.370-07:00Team Firestopper - Onyx Edition<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello all!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A couple months ago, I met with a gentleman in the tiny town
of Onyx, California to talk about fire safety and home fire prevention. He
expressed a need for his community, informing me that he and a lot of other
people in the town did not have proper fire prevention utilities, such as smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Considering that much of my duties as an
AmeriCorps member deal with preparedness, this struck me as something that
needed to be fixed. With the help of my supervisor, Team Firestopper sprung
into action. Two weeks ago, I and a group of wonderful volunteers from the Kern
River Valley canvassed the Onyx community, handing out flyers with vital fire safety
information to each and every home in the area. Also on these flyers was an
invitation to a Community Fire Safety and Prevention Education course that I
will be leading this Sunday, March 30<sup>th</sup> at Weldon Methodist Church
just down the road from Onyx. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To make it easier for the residents to attend,
I allotted three shifts of these Fire Safety courses for them to choose from,
the first from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., the second from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., and
the third from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. At the end of their shift they will take
home a bag that has a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, surge protector,
and a fire extinguisher inside, and they can then install and use each of these
utilities in their homes, making them more resilient to home fires. I am
pleased to say that in less than two weeks over 30 Kern River Valley residents
have registered to attend the course! Words can’t express how excited I am to
be able to teach these people the importance of fire safety, and help them all
prevent home fires in their community. One of the greatest perks of my position
as an AmeriCorps NPRC member with the American Red Cross is that I get an
incredible amount of those warm fuzzy feelings that one gets from helping
others. Thank you AmeriCorps, thank you American Red Cross, and thank you
Central Valley!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Samantha Minks</span></div>
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Preparedness Coodinator</div>
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American Red Cross - Kern Chapter</div>
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samantha.minks@redcross.org</div>
We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823450161301031176.post-73547776962984044642014-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:002014-03-11T14:06:58.350-07:00Family Home Evening: Earthquake Scenario<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm writing today about a very important topic: Earthquake preparedness. In every presentation I give around my community, I talk about the importance of practicing your disaster plan. The "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" drill is an excellent place to start when practicing your earthquake plan. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, cover your head and neck, and hold on to whatever piece of furniture you are under. Now that you've mastered this drill, move on to something more complex. While perusing the internet this weekend, I came across the ultimate earthquake plan. I mean, this family really went all out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The mother in this family realized that most likely an earthquake will strike at a time of the day when her family members are spread around town. You know, she's at the store with her youngest child, her older children are in school, and her husband is at work. She came up with a scenario including the time of day, and the extent of the earthquake, and she also determined situations like a dam breaking, downed power lines, and a gas leak that would intensify the encounter. She gave each member of her family a sheet of paper with a different scenario written on it. This family had already determined their meeting places, and their plan revolved around them. I won't give you all the details, instead I'm going to give you all the link to this website so that you can read it in detail and mimic the drill with your own families. This is a must read for those of you who have not begun to think about your plan yet. It's always better to be prepared!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the link: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="http://iprepared.blogspot.com/2009/09/family-home-evening-earthquake-scenario.html" target="_blank"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://iprepared.blogspot.com/2009/09/family-home-evening-earthquake-scenario.html</span></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Just a friendly reminder, it's that time of year again when it's time to change our clocks. This means it's also time to check the batteries in our smoke alarms, rotate and check the items in our emergency preparedness kits, and also to practice our emergency plans. It's the perfect time to put this must-read to practice!</span></span><br />
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Samantha Minks<br />
AmeriCorps NPRC 2013-2014<br />
Preparedness Coordinator<br />
American Red Cross - Kern Chapter<br />
samantha.minks@redcross.org<br />
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We are the Red Cross of the Central Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02377925580962087936noreply@blogger.com0