A resolution that's easy to keep... and gives you instant gratification!

The new year is a time for making resolutions, and it's time to resolve to help those in need by making a tax-deductible donation to the Red Cross before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.

"Many people make charitable contributions at the end of the year as part of their holiday tradition, and the Red Cross depends on these donations to provide hope, help and compassion," said Maree Wacker, Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon Red Cross. "Nationally, donations in December account for about 20 percent of all non-disaster contributions from the public to the Red Cross."

"In Oregon, thousands of volunteers in local chapters of the Red Cross touched the lives of almost 140,000 people in the state, with disaster relief, support for military families and training in life-saving and preparedness skills," said Wacker. "Thousands of Oregonians also rolled up their sleeves and gave blood, helping the Red Cross provide more than 90% of Oregon's blood supply."

You can give something that means something before the New Year, by donating at www.oregonredcross.org, or by giving a tax deductible gift by check, or by phone at (503) 284-1234.

"I Am The Red Cross" Video

We recently developed a video illustrating the concept of One Red Cross. The intent of the video captures not just language diversity, but also many other aspects such as age, culture, family life as well as highlighting services through blood recipients, military veterans, disaster instructors, family life, volunteerism and more!

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...

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Flooding caused by two typhoons is affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Hundreds have been killed and thousands left homeless as the flood waters rose. IFRC societies are busy addressing their local concerns and learning the extent of damage.

LIBYA: Over the past week the ICRC has been stepping up aid for 10,000 people near the conflict area of Sirte. Locals have been fleeing their homes and heading towards the desert or nearby villages to the east and west. On October 1st a medical team reached Ibn Sina hospital, inside Sirte, with urgently needed surgical supplies. Two days later additional equipment was delivered.

SOUTH PACIFIC: After six months of little or no rainfall, several South Pacific island nations are facing a water crisis. The New Zealand Red Cross’ International Operations is working to deliver thousands of collapsible water containers, hand sanitizers, water capture devices, and emergency desalination units.

SOMALIA: The situation in Somalia remains highly critical as the struggle against food insecurity continues. Livestock has been decimated and there is no hope for an improvement in the situation until the next harvest in December. The ICRC is working to strengthen support for the Somali Red Crescent’s therapeutic feeding centers. In July and August they distributed one-month rations to over 162,000 people in the areas hardest hit by drought.

AFGHANISTAN: The ICRC issued a summary of operations during July and August, as additional emergency assistance has been needed to assist thousands of people fleeing conflicts in their villages. 10 years after the conflict began access to heath care in rural areas remains difficult, as rising prices and lack of job security are taking a toll on ordinary people’s lives.

GLOSSARY:

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