CONTEST: Make A Poster To Show How YOU'D Prepare For Earthquakes!

Hey Oregon students! Wanna win some $$?

If you're in grades 1 – 6, we want YOU to create a poster with your best ideas for preparing for an earthquake in the Northwest. One student winner will be chosen in each grade and will receive a $50 gift certificate for their winning entry. Winning students' classrooms will also receive a $200 contribution for supplies and preparedness items.

A Cascadia subduction zone earthquake is likely in Oregon’s future, so it is everyone’s best interest for people of all ages to know how to prepare. A poster contest allows students to show what they know in a creative way, while helping spread the word to family, friends and classmates.

The Earthquake Preparedness Poster Contest -- "Don’t be a Square! Draw and Prepare" -- is sponsored by the Oregon Red Cross and Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Posters should be original artwork and no larger than 11" x 17". Entries should be labeled with the student’s name, age, grade, school, teacher’s name, school address, contact phone number for school, and contact email for the teacher. Posters should be mailed to Candy Cates, Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon, Suite #465, Portland, OR 97232 and should be postmarked no later than March 18, 2011. Winners will be announced during Public Health Week, April 4-8, 2011. Winning posters will be on display in April -- Oregon Earthquake & Tsunami Preparedness Month -- at the Oregon Red Cross and at the Portland State Office Building in Portland.

Questions? Contact Candy.K.Cates@state.or.us. Learn how to prepare for earthquakes right here.

VIDEO: Life, One Minute After A Catastrophic Earthquake

From Gizmodo:

Logan McMillian turned on his videocamera just a minute after his home in Christchurch, New Zealand was ravaged by a 6.3 earthquake. The resulting footage shows the surreal state of affairs moments after everyone's world was literally and figuratively shaken up.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

NEW ZEALAND: The New Zealand Red Cross responded immediately after the quake struck, providing first aid assistance as well as distributing blankets and water to people housed in evacuation shelters set up across the city. Eight Red Cross emergency response teams have been mobilized to the affected area to provide logistical support, help run welfare centers and assist in urban search and rescue.

LIBYA: The ICRC is stepping up its preparations to support medical facilities and treat the injured in Libyan cities where violence has taken place over the past few days. It is sending medical teams and surgical supplies to the area.

COLOMBIA: During the last three months of 2010, Colombia experienced the longest and most devastating stretch of wintry conditions for 40 years, which has heightened the vulnerability of people affected by armed conflict. The ICRC has been assisting with food, health services and other support.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

New Zealand: What If...

Earlier today, New Zealand was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, followed by several aftershocks ranging between 4.5 to 5.7 magnitudes. There is widespread damage throughout Christchurch, including collapsed buildings in the center of the city and damage to roads and bridges. Electricity supplies have been cut to about half of the city and Christchurch airport is closed.

Despite the conditions, the New Zealand Red Cross is already hard at work, providing first aid and helping families re-connect with their loved ones.

While our hearts are across the globe, our minds are right here at home. Would Oregonians be prepared if a similar disaster were to strike our state? It's a matter of when, not if, our state will feel the impact of an earthquake...will you be ready?

Please take this opportunity to refresh your personal disaster plan by taking the free, interactive Be Red Cross Ready class. While an earthquake anywhere is a terrible reminder, it's a reminder nonetheless -- don't let it pass you by.

Get prepared for an earthquake now

Image via CNN

Join the Red Cross Racing Tweetstakes Today!

What is the Red Cross Racing Tweetstakes?
Don’t miss the chance to win prizes by answering trivia questions! Be part of the Red Cross Racing Tweetstakes campaign with the Red Cross Racing Twitter page! Beginning today, and ending on Friday, February 25th, the Red Cross Racing Twitter page will post trivia questions about the Red Cross Racing program, Greg Biffle himself, NASCAR, and blood donations. Four trivia questions will be posted each day at 10 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. CST.

Add the "I Gave" Twibbon to your page!
Join Red Cross Racing or show your support if you're already a member by adding this special "I Gave" Twibbon to your Twitter or Facebook account. Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood. In the race of life, every second counts.

Tweetstakes Rules and Regulations:
The first correct response (via a direct message) will be awarded a prize.
Participants must be a follower of @redcrossracing to qualify for a prize and no more than one prize will be awarded per person, per day. However, participants are encouraged to answer as many questions as they want.

Prizes:
There will be a total of 60 prizes given away. (Four questions posted at 10 a.m., four questions posted at noon, four questions posted at 3 p.m. 5 days/week). Prizes include items like t-shirts, die-cast cars, hats and vintage Red Cross Racing and NASCAR gear!

Gimme Shelter

Let's play a game called Guess What iPhone App I Just Downloaded?

Hint: it's not Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja. (Though those are both fun apps.)

Nope. It's the new Red Cross shelter location app! That's right, now you can get real-time shelter info on your iphone. So in the case of disaster, you're just one touchscreen away from instant shelter location maps, details, and the Red Cross disaster newsroom.

Download it now so you'll have it if/when you need it.

This Red Cross Nursing Figurine Can Be Yours...

As far as I'm concerned, there's only one thing lacking about the American Red Cross. Unlike our friends overseas, we don't operate thrift stores (or, as they call them, charity shops).

As a self-proclaimed world class thrifter, this makes me sad. But it also means that I can support other local non-profits with my endless need to purchase knick-knacks, baubles and bric-a-brac.

Take, for example, this fine Red Cross nursing figurine, available at the lovely Community Warehouse -- a great place to find vintage goodies.

Note that the Red Cross pin in the photo is already gone. And the last time I posted one of their TOTALLY AWESOME items, it got marked "Sold!" really fast.

So if you like this little nurse, get in touch with them ASAP. Only $16-$20!

Honoring Black History Month

During the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. African Americans have a long, distinguished history in the American Red Cross.

Gwendolyn T. Jackson was the first African American to be appointed national chairman of volunteers for the Red Cross. When Mrs. Jackson assumed her appointment in l989, significant changes were occurring in the world of volunteerism. Between l981 and 1985, there was a 19 percent decrease in volunteering among singles. To respond to these and other changes in volunteerism, Mrs. Jackson implemented the Volunteer 2000 Study, which provided a blueprint for future growth.

Dr. Charles Drew (pictured above), an African American blood specialist, surgeon, educator and scientist, was the director of the first American Red Cross blood bank. In early 1940, when England faced possible invasion, it was realized that lifesaving blood might be needed on a massive scale by both the civilian population and the military forces in Britain. A project to collect blood for shipment to the British Isles was created, and the man chosen as medical director was Charles Drew. Little known at the time, he was soon to be recognized as one of the nation's foremost physicians and as a pioneer in blood collection and plasma processing. Today’s American Red Cross blood services are the result of his innovative work and dedication.

Transfusions from blood donors of the same ethnic background have less chance of causing complications for the recipients. Sickle cell anemia, for instance, affects more than 70,000 people in the United States, most of them African American. Many African Americans have rare blood types, such as U-negative and Duffy-negative, that are unique to the African American community. Many patients need blood transfusions every few weeks to help keep the effects of disease at bay.

You can honor Dr. Charles Drew and and his important contributions to blood banking by scheduling an appointment to donate blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

ITALY: The Italian Red Cross is responding to an influx of thousands of Tunisian migrants - providing healthcare and basic necessities such as clothing, food and first aid kits.

MALAYSIA: When the worst floods in four years forced thousands from their homes, Malaysian Red Crescent staff and volunteers responded - providing search and rescue assistance, food, and basic necessities.

THAILAND/CAMBODIA: Armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia recently displaced some 30,000 people. Red Cross workers responded - providing food, tarpaulins, blankets, clothes, mosquito nets, bottled water, buckets, and sending health personnel and water engineers to both countries.

OCCUPIED GOLAN: The ICRC is conducting its annual transfer of apples from occupied Golan to Syria proper. A record-setting 12 tons of apples this year! (See more ways the ICRC is helping in occupied Golan.)

SAUDI ARABIA: The ICRC and the Saudi Red Crescent Society have set up way for families to video-teleconference with relatives held at the US facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

VANATU: In a period of two weeks, Vanuatu has been hit by two successive tropical cyclones, Vania and Yasi, impacting the lives of over 32,000 people. On the island of Erromango, some Red Cross volunteers are delivering relief supplies on foot - walking for up to five days to reach remote areas.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Inside Our Singles CPR Class

I know there are many of you out there who love the concept of Singles CPR, though you wonder just how the execution works.

Well, wonder no more!

Here's your inside look at last night's Valentine's Day class, thanks to KGW's Live at 7 broadcast and reporter Joe Smith. Yes, it got a little crazy and yes, I'm not a fan of that camera angle, but I am sucking it up and sharing it with the world. ENJOY!

Show Your Support for the Red Cross, online and in style!

This week I'm out of town at the Oregon State blood drive, and typically the one thing everyone looks for after a blood donation is the 'be nice to me' sticker. Some consider it to be like Monopoly's 'get out of jail free' card* and a badge to say I did something awesome today, and helped save up to three lives!

A little known fact is that you can show this pride online as well. Click here to view a large list of avatars and badges, suitable for posting on your favorite social media site.

In addition there are themed avatars including the one above, "Recovery 2011", for donations during the month of February heeding the call to action of the National Appeal for blood donors. The latest reports indicate over 30,000 donation opportunities have been lost nationwide due to winter storms.

*The 'be nice to me' sticker is not a get out of jail free card. You will need to keep rolling those dice to get doubles, or wait three turns.

A Red Cross Romance

Ever so often, a story comes along that illustrates the true spirit of generosity. While many will express caring on a one-on-one level this Valentine's Day, it's important to recognize the multitude of lives one person can touch through a lifetime of devotion. Longtime blood donor Richard Welton was kind enough to share his fascinating (and romantic) history with the Red Cross on this special day.

Richard began donating when he was in high school. As Richard explains, "I was stimulated to start donating blood back in the mid 50s because my girlfriend's mother worked as a volunteer!" Admittedly, Richard stated that "trying to romance my girlfriend by impressing her mother was not a very philanthropic reason to start giving blood." But as he went through college and began reading Red Cross literature at campus blood drives, Richard said that he "came to realize just how important donating blood is to others."

It was also at college where Richard met his wife Alice, who was studying to become a medical technologist! Once again, Richard found himself wooing a young lady through blood donations, as his wife was "involved in blood draws with the Red Cross and was a volunteer for over 25 years."

Richard went on to teach human anatomy and physiology for 35 years at Southern Oregon University. "The two of us have always had an orientation toward structure and function of the human body, including blood," Richard said.

Not content to keep the learning in the classroom, Richard said that "as our kids were growing up, my wife's strange sense of humor led her one Valentine's Day to prepare her 'Heartbeat Dinner.' This dinner included red beets and beef heart, both of which our son and daughter hated. My wife and I thought the heartbeat dinner was clever and romantic!" Richard goes on to say "this culinary abuse of our children may be partly responsible for that fact that the two of them now live in New York and Florida!"

Richard has donated over 230 times throughout his life, which equates to over 28 gallons. Since a single pint of blood can help save up to three lives, Richard has made a heroic effort. He is currently 74 years old and says he's in good health. For this happily married couple, Richard explains that "donating blood is sort of a family affair" and he will continue giving as long as he can.

Prepare-aphernalia: An Empty Altoids Tin

Sometimes the perfect piece of prepare-aphernalia is a $60 complex contraption.

And sometimes it's a cheap old empty box of mints.

If you are a lover of ingenuity in preparedness, you have to check out the Art of Manliness blog's post on 22 Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin. Yes. Twenty-two.

First aid kits, miniature emergency kits, emergency candles, a flashlight... it turns out you can make an Altoids tin into just about anything. And this round-up shows you how.

Just a few of my favorites:

First Aid Kit

Pocket Games Chest (to put in your emergency kit)

Miniature Emergency Kit

Mini Flashlight!

Check out the rest, along with links to the how-to guides.

[Thanks for the tip, Teresa!]

SIGNS OF LOVE

So, I was minding my own business when a romantic thought came to mind…

How do I spell LOVE in Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portugese, Russian, and Sign language?!?

Chinese: 爱
Dutch: liefde
French: amour
German: liebe
Greek: αγάπη
Italian: amore
Portugese: amor
Russian: влюбленность
Sign language: see picture
Me (L), Scott (O), Francisco (V), Anne (E)

Fortunately for me, the Internet knows everything, so it was pretty easy to get my question answered. And I decided that Russian is definitely my favorite!

But, with all of this love stuff swirling around in my head, I remembered Valentine’s Day... and that means that SINGLES CPR is happening TODAY!!! That’s rights, No Valentine? Sign Up For Singles CPR!Pucker up for some mouth-to-mouth at Hotel deLuxe and meet new people in a fun, comfortable environment. Enjoy complimentary desserts from Gracie's, truffles from Pix Patisserie, great doorprizes and walk away with a free two-week membership to the Portland Mercury's Lovelab personals...and the skills to save a life. Just $20!

Awesome.

Recovery 2011

A long stretch of winter storms have tormented a good portion of the United States. The Red Cross is asking donors to help the blood supply recover from effects of severe winter weather nationwide. Since January 1, the Red Cross has been forced to cancel more than 750 blood drives.

It's hard to make a connection with reports of massive snow and power outages, especially when our weather has been nice. Just to give you an idea of the storms impact, the first time we blogged this situation, the Red Cross was down about 8,000 of units of blood. Next, the number climbed to 14,000, and as I give this update the number has doubled again--reaching 28,000 blood units that have gone uncollected.

If you're wondering how we can assist people in other states, the Red Cross distributes blood nationwide. Even though our area has not been affected by the winter storms, our support can help those who are affected.

I have personally experienced the heroic efforts of communities across Oregon and Washington, and we can help again by donating blood in the coming days and weeks. To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. All blood types are needed, but there is a special need for donors with O-Negative, A-Negative and B-Negative blood.

Remember,our winter isn't over until the third week in March and it's always a good idea to be prepared.

I Can Has Preparedness?

Are you as prepared as Urban Kitteh?

If not, maybe you'd like to peruse our disaster gear...

[P.S. Thanks for sharing, Carrie!]

Hop On Over to the Chinese New Year Celebration!

Hop on over to the Oregon Convention Center tomorrow to ring in the Year of the Rabbit with us!

Once again we'll be hosting a table at this huge Chinese New Year celebration, helping to inform people about disaster preparedness and Red Cross opportunities.

What that doesn't sound fun to you? Well then maybe you should know we also have balloons and a prize wheel! That's right, I said prizes.

So stop by and spin the wheel. Who knows what fortune might be in store for you...

Gung hei fat choi!

Friday Final Cut

It's Friday, and I once again find myself with a plethora of stories. So here's your final cut...everything that I want to share, but don't have time to blog.

Enjoy!

• Could you spot a heart attack? Hint: They're not all characterized by gasping, chest pain
• Offbeat Oregon: Flood ended Vanport's short life

And one more... When David Meltzer was here earlier this week, he mentioned some charts put together by CRED (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters). I was curious, so I tracked them down for you. Fascinating!

• Trends in Natural Disasters

Wild Weather Brings Out the Best of the Red Cross

It certainly has been a wild week for weather worldwide. Two major storms have hit the East coasts of two nations that have already been weather strained.

Here in the United States, nearly 30 states (~2,000 mile stretch) are facing extreme winter weather conditions that have are leading to a large variety of problems. Red Cross Chapters have set up 73 warming centers and emergency shelters to help through the extreme cold and blizzard-like conditions. As previously mentioned, the weather is further stretching the Red Cross' national blood supply to record low levels. If you have a chance, please consider donating.

In Australia (pictured), Cyclone Yasi hit Queensland with the force of a Category 5 Hurricane (gusts up to 186 mph). This is the same area recovering from massive flooding in an area larger than Texas, including the nation's third-largest city of Brisbane. The Cyclone struck near the town of Innisfail, and the Australian Red Cross is on the ground helping the region. Initial reports indicate impacts were far less than feared, however the region's crops have been destroyed and a further drenching of rain is causing trouble.

So what is with all this extreme weather? The root cause is a La Niña effect, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines as "cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean." This is the opposite of El Niño, which has warmer than normal water, both of which impact weather by changing the direction of the winds and high and low pressure systems. For North America, La Niña typically results in wetter conditions and that means lots of snow.

Photo: Evacuation center in Innisfail, Queensland, Australia prior to cyclone Yasi.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

AUSTRALIA: With barely time to catch their breath from the flood relief efforts, Australian Red Crossers are now also responding to Cyclone Yasi - assisting with evacuation centers and helping people find out about the safety of family and friends.

EGYPT: One week into the protests that are shaking Egypt, the ICRC is working together with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to gain a clearer picture of the humanitarian situation and the resulting needs. Support for health services and access to detainees are ICRC priorities.

IRAN/IRAQ: This week the ICRC helped repatriate the remains of 38 Iraqi soldiers killed during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.

TUNISIA: The ICRC has resumed its visits to people in Tunisian places of detention to monitor the conditions in which they are being held and the treatment they receive.

CHAD: The ICRC helped 369 ex-detainees return to their villages.

PHILIPPINES: The Philippine Red Cross has delivered assistance to thousands of residents affected by floods and landslides.


GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

PHOTO: A Shocking Display

From National Geographic:

Lightning crackles over Japan on Friday (1/28) as ash and lava erupt from Shinmoedake peak, one of the calderas of the Kirishima volcano complex.

Shinmoedake began erupting Wednesday, coating nearby villages and farms with ash and prompting authorities to ask for voluntary evacuations within a 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) radius.

Volcanic lightning is still a mystery, though it may be that electrically charged silica—part of magma—interacts with the atmosphere when it flies out of a volcano, Steve McNutt of the Alaska Volcano Observatory told National Geographic News in February 2010.

Photograph by Minami-Nippon Shibun/Reuters

Video Interview: Senior VP of International Services

Yesterday we got the opportunity to do a brief video interview with David Meltzer, Senior Vice President of International Services for the American Red Cross, who was visiting Portland to give a one-year update on the recovery efforts in Haiti.

And you know what? He's one cool dude -- plainspoken, sincere and straightforward. He also has a lot of personal experience with international disaster relief (in Haiti and other countries).

If you're curious about the broad scope of our international relief work or even how to get involved, I think you'll dig what David has to say in our short interview...

(P.S. Aplogies for the low camera angle. We didn't have a tripod on hand, so I had to improvise by stacking the flip cam on top of a couple of phone books. But hey, you work with what you've got.)

ON NOW: Youth Photo Contest

Health \helth\ (noun) 1. A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ~ World Health Organization

As part of National Public Health Week, Community Health Priorities, a project of the Northwest Health Foundation, is sponsoring the 2011 Oregon Youth Photo Contest!

Per the instructions: With this photo contest, we are looking at different ways to show health and healthy (or unhealthy) communities. The environment in which you live, work, and play affects your health. Using the lens of your camera, we want to see what you believe makes a healthy community!

[IMHO, giving blood and learning CPR are important parts of a creating a healthy community. Just sayin'.]

In order to qualify, you must live in Oregon and be age 12-18 as of March 1, 2011. Prizes range from $100-$300 and judging will be based on 5 categories:

* Presentation - Mechanics related to spelling, punctuation of title & caption

* Expression of “ health” theme - Presence and connection of health theme

* Artistry/Composition - Photograph’s visual quality

* Creativity/Originality - Originality of message of entire submission

* Overall Impact - Of the health message

Wanna know more? Read the rest of the contest rules.

Bringing Tears To Your Tuesday

Warning: It's time to whip out the Kleenex.

But the good news is that these will be happy tears, I promise. Check out these inspirational stories from a few of our 60 AmeriCorps volunteers around the state.

Kelsey Schnitzmeier, American Red Cross Willamette Chapter, Lincoln County

Through my courses with the Red Cross, I was able to gain the skills and confidence to respond to an emergency. This was demonstrated when I was actually at my home and a car accident occurred about a half block away. I was panicked at first, but then realized that I know what to do to help people in a time of need such as this. I overcame my personal fears, left my home, and responded to the car accident. Luckily, although it sounded like a bad accident, there were no serious injuries, everyone had exited the vehicles and I ensured that 911 had already been called. I stayed at the scene (surprisingly with another AmeriCorps member who had responded) until EMS arrived and took care of the situation. I was very proud of myself for being brave enough to respond to this accident and feel that this would have never been possible without my training through the Red Cross and the added sense of responsibility that I now have being an AmeriCorps member.

Melody Easton, SE Works in Portland
Jake has been involved with SE Works for more than four years. He entered and graduated with his GED in 2006. From there, he entered community college and has been taking classes ever since. He has had success in some classes but none in others. This semester he is taking a math class for the 6th time. In previous quarters he has failed 3 times and dropped the class 2 times. This quarter, with the aid of the mentoring program, he finally will pass the class. Not only pass, he has an "A"!

Sarah Hollingworth, SOESD Migrant Education in Medford
In September, I hosted a booth for my site at the Medford Multicultural Fair. I had a game for the children to play where they would race a toy car to a finish line by rolling a dice and moving spaces. I decided that the name of the game should be "The Race to Graduation", since our program is an after school program aimed at helping Latino students graduate, and our prizes should be fake diplomas. The "great" part of this story, however, wasn't the game itself but the reaction the parents had when I handed out the "diplomas". Some of the parents were proud of their child's enthusiasm and success, but a few were so overcome with anxiety that this may be the only diploma their child ever earns that they were on the verge of tears. In that moment I realized that up until then I had only read about my program's purpose, and while I had appreciated it on paper, I hadn't been able to fully relate to it or internalize it. Now I feel like I really can make a difference this year because I know what my work means to the families we serve.

Jami Moore, Ethos Music Center in Monument
In Monument, I had a girl in second grade who was learning how to sing. She knew that eventually, she would have to take the stage on her own. This terrified her to the point that she walked out crying because she was afraid. But we worked all term on it and come the day of the concert, she was ready. She stood up on stage, all by herself, at the microphone, and blew everyone away. The response was so enthusiastic that she actually screwed up her face and stepped back because the cheering for her was so loud. I am so, so proud of her for being so brave.

Amazing experiences, no? And these are just from the first four months of service!

If you know of an organization that wants to increase the level of service they provide to the community, the Oregon State Service Corps (OSSC) is now accepting project proposals for the 2011-2012 service year. This is the best way to have an AmeriCorps member make the kind of impact mentioned above with the people YOU serve!