The Breakfast of Champions: An Event You'll Never Forget

Last spring, DeOna Bridgeman of Canby witnessed a teenage boy struck by a car.  DeOna rushed to the boy, who was lying in the road, not breathing and without a pulse.  She performed citizen CPR until paramedics arrived. The 15-year old not only survived, but has made an amazing recovery.

The Oregon Red Cross will honor DeOna and other heroes who have displayed courage and compassion in their actions at our upcoming Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. This event celebrates the mission of the American Red Cross; the idea that we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves. This event is the Oregon Red Cross' largest fundraiser of the year. If you would like to attend, please contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692.

In Oregon, the Red Cross responds to an emergency once every 16 hours - but the Red Cross does much more than respond to disasters. We train everyday people in lifesaving skills. We assist members of the military and their families. We provide transportation to essential appointments for the elderly and disabled. We provide warming centers in response to particularly cold nights in the winter. We educate the community about emergency preparedness. And we reconnect families separated by war or disaster. 

Encounter the Red Cross Experience

Each year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions features an interactive theme that draws you in to experience first-hand what it is like to be helped by the compassionate volunteers of the Oregon Red Cross. This year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions will highlight the awesome power of natural disasters and the role of the Red Cross in responding to them. 

When you arrive at the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions on Tuesday, March 6th, you find yourself physically immersed in these episodes of tornado, earthquake, wildfire and floods, and witness Red Cross efforts to shelter, feed and care for Oregonians displaced by them. Arrive early to give yourself time to explore this multimedia experience. Then enjoy a breakfast and a heartfelt celebration; marvel at the touching stories of real-life heroes as we honor them for their acts of compassion, bravery, excellence and selflessness. 

These individuals are the beacons of hope that many see in their most desperate hours.  And that’s what this event is all about -- honoring those who put aside their own needs to come to the aid of others.

Please join us at the 2012 Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. For more information, contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692.

Oregon Red Cross Assisted at Five Home Fires Last Week

Home fires are devastating for families, and almost twice a day in Oregon, a family is displaced by fire and left on their own. That's when the Oregon Red Cross steps in to help.

"I am in awe. You and your team helped us out so much," said Jan B. "I thank you for all you did for my family."

In the past week, Red Cross volunteers responded to five home fires in Oregon. Our volunteers provided humanitarian assistance to 17 adults, 13 children and three pets displaced by these fires. Sadly, one person and several pets were also lost in these blazes.

"The tragedy of home fires touches so many lives," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive of the Oregon Red Cross. "Friends, neighbors and the community are also affected when families are forced from their homes, but in the immediate aftermath, when a family needs help the most, the Red Cross is there." 

Red Cross assistance for these families included immediate lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits, medical supplies and information on health and mental health services. These services are given free of charge as part of the Red Cross mission to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It is a voluntary relief movement, supported by the American people, and not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

To learn more about how the Red Cross helps families following a home fire, see our video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/lPWb2D82u5E.

Oregon Red Cross Responds to Fatal House Fire

Oregon Red Cross volunteers responded to a house fire on Failing Street in Portland, OR early this morning. They provided humanitarian assistance to at least two people displaced by the fire. All services were provided free of charge and may have included lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits and mental health services.

As reported on OregonLive.com, Portland firefighters arrived at the Failing Street home about 4 a.m. and found people evacuating from the basement and first floor windows, according to Paul Corah, spokesman for Portland Fire & Rescue. Some were woken up by the lights of the fire engine because there were no working smoke alarms in the home, fire investigators said.

On the second floor, it was so hot firefighters' helmet shields were melting and they had to crawl on their stomachs to look for any trapped victims, according to Station 13 Capt. Rob Hutchens. They knew they had to get out, but they gave it one more shot, he said, and that's when they found a man in the hallway.

Firefighters carried the man downstairs to paramedics, who determined that the 39-year-old man had died. His name has not been released, pending notification of his family. An investigation is continuing.

Corah urged people to make sure they have a working smoke alarm in every sleeping area, on every floor of their home. 

Four people were in the house at the time of the fire. Rooms in the home were rented out to individuals, Corah said. The Oregon Red Cross helped at least two displaced adults get shelter and other services.

The “Other” List of Winter Preparedness Tips

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement, warning of lower snow levels beginning Friday evening, in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Since this is a holiday weekend for most, we thought we share with you some of our "other" winter preparedness tips.

The American Red Cross has been at the leading edge of preparedness for decades and every year we have brought you our Winter Storm Safety Checklist, which is chock full of excellent information to keep you and your loved ones safe before, during and after a storm.

But how does one prepare for the dozens of hours that will be spent inside while the storm rages outside? Today, we would like to provide you with a few “other” winter preparedness items to include:

Indoor Fort Supplies

This should include blankets, sheets, chairs, and some other sturdy furniture. And if your indoor fort building skills have diminished over the years, Apartment Therapy has some very easy-to-follow instructions, design ideas and decor inspirations for the young and young-at-heart.

Movies

Having a family movie night is an idea that’s an oldie but still a goodie. Either stock up on titles from your local library, go rent a variety of movies, or turn on your favorite video streaming service. Be sure to buy popcorn and candy for the full movie night experience. For the ultimate experience, you might even combine fort building with movie night!

Puzzles and Games

Puzzles and board games are a great way to enjoy each other company and avoid getting bored! Other games might include: charades, tic-tac-toe, Texas hold ‘em, or something creative, like a karaoke/dance competition (be sure to have your First Aid Kit on hand in case this game goes awry). Maybe buy a few small prizes, or allow the winner a pass on doing the dishes that day.

Sleds

Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, you can go sledding during or after a snowstorm. Sometimes going down a hill isn’t enough, so you might want to build a Sled Mountain! (in which case, you might want to go ahead and grab that First Aid Kit again….)

Enjoy Old Man Winter as much as you can, and at some break in the fun don’t forget to check out our more “traditional” winter preparedness tips so you and your family will be able to tackle the season with confidence!

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...

PHILIPPINES: Last week a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit western Visayas and some parts of northern Mindanao in the Philippines, claiming at least 22 lives with a further 71 people missing and 52 injured. Within hours of the earthquake the Philippine Red Cross, with the support of the IFRC, deployed 500 food packs, 1,000 bottles of drinking water, 1,000 sleeping mats, 1,000 blankets, 500 jerry cans, 30 tents and one mobile warehouse to serve as the temporary hospital.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Early this month a ferry carrying at least 560 passengers sank off the north coast of Papua New Guinea. Two weeks later, over 180 people were still missing with authorities believing the death toll could reach at least 200. Staff and volunteers of the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society have been at the scene of the disaster since the accident occurred, offering counseling to relatives of the passengers waiting anxiously on shore and carrying out small distributions of emergency relief supplies.

SYRIA: Relief efforts continue in Syria as the violence escalates. Over the weekend Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoys reached the cities of Homs and Bloudan, providing much needed food, medical supplies, blankets, and hygiene consumables to thousands of people. The Syrian Red Crescent and the ICRC are planning further missions to continue providing humanitarian aid to people affected by the unrest.

BANGLADESH: Throughout the last decade, the ICRC has been working with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to promote international humanitarian law to authorities in Bangladesh. Last week deans and department heads of 35 public and private universities in Bangladesh met to discuss the inclusion of international humanitarian law in their curricula. Additionally, this week the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an anti-crime force, is participating in an ICRC training course on humanitarian principles and international human rights law in domestic legislation.


GLOSSARY:

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

PHOTO:
Survivors of the 6.9 earthquake in the Philippines receiving relief support. Philippine Red Cross

Oregon Red Cross Assisted at Six Metro House Fires Last Week

In the past week, Oregon Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to six home fires in the Portland Metro area. Our volunteers provided humanitarian assistance, free of charge, to 13 adults, 16 children and four pets displaced by these fires.

Assistance for these families included immediate lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits, and information on health and mental health services. One child required special needs accommodations, and one woman was transported to the hospital, treated for smoke inhalation, and then released.

Home fires are the number one disaster facing families in Oregon and last year, the Oregon Red Cross responded to almost 600 home fires across our state. That's an average of almost twice each day that Red Cross volunteers are assisting families who have no place else to turn in the immediate aftermath of a devastating fire.

Practice fire safety at home

Be Red Cross Ready - Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist [PDF]

Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.



• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.



• Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.



• Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low.



• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.



• Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fire Escape Planning

• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.



• Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.



• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.



• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

For more information, see additional fact sheets on Fire Safety & Prevention.

Caring Is Sharing! Give Blood On Valentine's Day

Come celebrate Valentine's Day at the Red Cross!

Do you love chocolate? All presenting donors at our Clark County Donor Center on this special day will receive a small box of chocolates from Russell Stover. There will also be drawings held for other chocolate goodies throughout the blood drive.

You can also give from the heart this Valentine's Day at our Bend Donor Center! Bring a friend to donate blood at the Bend Donor Center during this week, February 13 - 17 and both presenting donors will receive an American Red Cross water bottle*.

*Presenting donors will fill out a form with name and number to receive their water bottles. Donors do not need to present to donate at the same time.

Schedule your appointment now or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).