Search to Benefit Holocaust Survivors Intensifies

• There are over 200,000 Holocaust survivors living in the U.S.
• The Red Cross has conducted 40,000 Holocaust tracing cases over the years.
• The Red Cross has created over 1,500 family reunions between Holocaust survivors.
• There are over 100 Red Cross Holocaust tracing cases currently pending in Palm Beach County. 

West Palm Beach, FL (October 29, 2009)—The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is redoubling its efforts to find answers for survivors who lost loved ones during the World War II era more than 60 years ago. From Thursday, November 4^th to Sunday, November 8^th, the local Red Cross will host distinguished guest Linda Klein, Director of the Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing and Information Center, which is located in Baltimore. Klein will travel throughout Palm Beach County, spreading word of the Red Cross’ free tracing service with a sense of urgency to community groups including Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Child Survivors/Hidden Children of the Holocaust, the American Red Cross, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, the Volen Center, and several area temples.

On Sunday, November 8^th, the Chapter is hosting an informal community-wide reception at the Count & Countess de Hoernle Service Center of the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5820 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33487). Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those with a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend the free event, where they can connect over a light kosher lunch. A team of the organization’s volunteers will be available that day to begin search inquiries. Guests will also have the chance to meet local people who have successfully found answers regarding the fate of loved ones by utilizing Red Cross tracing. At the events’ close, Klein will leave for Baltimore.

About the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center:

The Center for Information on Holocaust Restitution estimates that 5 to 10 survivors die each day. As time runs out for aging survivors, the Red Cross Holocaust Tracing Service offers to search for family members and document the fates of loved ones through personal services that are comprehensive, confidential and free of charge. The Red Cross tracing service has accessed resources and archives throughout the world, including the complete holdings of the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany, since the Soviet Union’s release of documents to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1989. That cache of documents, which included Auschwitz death books and hundreds of thousands of names of concentration camp victims, provided the single largest source of information made available since the end of World War II.

The Red Cross has operated this specialized tracing service for the past 19 years. Over the course of just a few months, the Tracing Center recently located 20 individuals and recovered information, such as date of death, on 400 others. Overall, the organization has found more than 1,500 survivors alive. In thousands of other cases, inquirers have discovered information about the circumstances of a loved one’s death. Others access this service for documentation of forced/slave labor or proof of internment.

To Begin a Search:

To access a search, survivors or their family members are urged to contact the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross anytime at (561) 833-7711, visit the Red Cross on the web at www.redcross-pbc.org, or attend any Ms. Klein’s upcoming presentations. Inquirers will need to gather the following information about sought person: relationship to inquirer; first and last name; date of birth or approximate year or range of years of birth; country of birth; country last resided; and last contact with sought person. 

ATTEND A PRESENTATION:

Thursday, November 5, 2009:

• Eat & Schmooze, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join Linda Klein over lunch at the Volen Center in Boca Raton as Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, Next Generations and the Volen Center partner to meet the unique socialization needs of Holocaust survivors. Free kosher lunch for seniors and transportation available; call Genevieve Mosley at (561) 395-8920 before 12 p.m. no later than one day in advance to RSVP. The Volen Center is located at 1515 West Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.
• Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Boynton, 5 p.m.: Linda Klein will participate in a presentation at 10655 El Clair Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.
• Temple Beth Tikvah Cultural Series, 7 p.m.: Join Linda Klein for Temple Beth Tikvah’s cultural series kick-off presentation at 4550 Jog Road in Lake Worth.

Friday, November 6, 2009,

• Red Cross volunteer & staff address, 9 a.m.: Learn more about Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing at local Red Cross Headquarters (825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach). Immediately followed by a Holocaust Tracing Volunteer Workshop where individuals can share stories and register to volunteer. RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.
• Temple Shaarei Shalom, 8 p.m.: Linda Klein will speak at Temple Shaarei Shalom’s service, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

Saturday, November 7, 2009, Temple Beth El presentation, 9 a.m.: Linda will make a presentation during services at 2815 North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Sunday, November 8, 2009, Reconnect Holocaust Survivors, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those who have a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend and connect over a light kosher lunch at the Red Cross in Boca Raton (5820 North Federal Highway). RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.

More About Linda Klein:

Linda Cauthen Klein was appointed Director of the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing and Information Center in April, 1994. Before that, she was the Communications Director for the Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter and Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region. As director of the tracing center, Ms. Klein is responsible for its day-to-day operations. In 2002, she traveled to Israel to help Magen David Adom establish a tracing office in Tel Aviv. Ms. Klein has also developed capacity building programs with tracing departments in Canada and Poland.

Before joining the Red Cross, Ms. Klein was the Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She has written numerous articles and reviews for the Baltimore Jewish Times, and she served as president of the Baltimore Public Relations Council in 1996 and 1997. Ms. Klein holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a Masters from Towson State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Edward A. Myerberg Senior Center and was the recipient of the 2006 Gloria Harris Award for outstanding volunteer service. She lives in Reistertown, MD with her husband, Yale.

# # #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.

Red Cross Encourages Families to Talk to Children About Home Fire Safety

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 15, 2009) — The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering parents tips to reduce their risk of fires and talk with their children about fire safety.

“Parents can reduce their risk of home fires by taking a few simple steps,” said Larry Casey, CEO of the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We want families to have the information and resources they need to educate their children and reduce their risk of a home fire tragedy.”

The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross recommends that adults:

• Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children.
• Always dress children in pajamas that meet federal flammability standards. Avoid loose-fitting, 100-percent cotton garments.
• Develop and practice your home fire escape plan with your children at least twice a year. Home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Also, select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping.
• Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them what to do when they hear it.
• Teach your children not to be scared of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them, see the gear they wear, and learn about fire safety and prevention.
• Teach your children to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school.
• Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches; evidence your child may be playing with fire.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don’t work. Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries once a year.

The Red Cross is committed to giving people the information they need to reduce their risk of home fires, and to helping people recover after a fire happens. During the 2009 fiscal year, the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast Region of the American Red Cross responded to an alarming 275 fires, assisting 319 families with their immediate emergency needs. For more fire safety and preparedness information, visit www.redcross.org/homefires.

#  #  #

About the American Red Cross: For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad; taught lifesaving skills to members of the community; and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, which is a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.

Team of Red Cross Youth Volunteers Delivers Critical Message for Fire Safety Month

WHAT:                On Friday, October 16, a group of 15 Red Cross youth volunteers will spend their day off from school by going door-to-door in the Lake Clarke Shores neighborhood with an important message: The biggest disaster threat to families across our nation every day isn’t floods, hurricanes or tornadoes, it’s fire. The motivated group of students, ages 10 to 17, will walk the West Palm Beach neighborhood hanging Red Cross Fire Safety Tips on the front door of each home as part of the Chapter’s revamped youth volunteer program. Each October hundreds of organizations join forces to promote fire prevention. So far this month, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has responded to an alarming 10 house fires, assisting a total of 31 adults and children with their immediate emergency needs including food, shelter, clothing and additional help to pick up the pieces.

FAST FACTS:      The local Red Cross has always provided relief to victims of disasters and helped people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. During the 2009 fiscal year, the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast Region of the American Red Cross responded to 275 fires, assisting 319 families with their immediate emergency needs. The organization, which has 815 youth volunteers, has planned a series of activities during school holidays to engage students. The youth and young adult volunteers will earn service hours while furthering the work of the Red Cross.

WHEN:                FRIDAY, October 16^th Starting at 9:45 a.m. from Lake Clarke Shores Town Hall; Remaining in Lake Clarke Shores neighborhood until 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:             Lake Clarke Shores Town Hall, 1701 Barbados Road; West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Local Red Cross Responds to Seven Fires in First Week of Fire Prevention Month

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 6, 2009) — Now is the time for local residents to take immediate action in preventing home fires. Already this week, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has responded to six major home fires within its service area. The organization has provided each of the 22 adults and children affected by these fires with immediate emergency assistance including shelter, food, clothing, smoke soap and comfort kits; all at no cost to the victims.

October is fire prevention month. During the month of October, the Red Cross will spread the message that all individuals should practice fire safety to avoid home fires. A home fire can be destructive, costly, devastating and even deadly; and often occurs without warning. Home fires present the biggest disaster threat to families across our nation. Locally, dedicated volunteer members of the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter respond to house fires once every 30 hours, on average.

This month, individuals who serve on the organization’s volunteer Speakers Bureau will increase community appearances, spreading life-saving fire safety information. Youth volunteers at the Red Cross will go door-to-door in a West Palm Beach neighborhood on October 16^th, distributing English and Spanish Fire Safety Tips. Mark Goggin, Red Cross Manager of Disaster Preparedness and Response emphasizes, “Unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.” The Red Cross is committed to giving people the information they need to reduce their risk of home fires, and to helping people recover after a fire happens.

The Red Cross encourages people to remember two key fire safety steps to protect their home and loved ones from fires: Get a smoke alarm, and have a fire escape plan.

• Some alarms save lives. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don’t work. Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Fires can spread throughout your home in minutes, so when every second counts, having a plan can help you escape. Home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Also, select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping. After discussing your plan with all members of your household, you should practice the plan twice a year.

Remember, home fires happen more often than hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. Take your family’s life into your hands by practicing fire safety.                                           

#  #  #

About the American Red Cross: For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad; taught lifesaving skills to members of the community; and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, which is a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.

Red Cross CPR Training Saves Life at Tequesta Country Club

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 29, 2009) — Cheryl Tagner of Port St. Lucie, 49, received Adult, Child & Infant CPR and Choking training from the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in 2007, but it wasn’t until the evening of September 25th at Tequesta Country Club when her life saving skills were called to action. Tagner, who is Clubhouse Manager at the Country Club, first became alerted to the incident by one of her staff members who thought that an 89 year old female member of the country club and resident of Tequesta, looked like she needed help. The club member’s husband, who is 90, took one look at Tagner and asked, “Can you help?” Tagner immediately performed three abdominal thrusts on the victim until a piece of steak that had been lodged in her throat was cleared.

Mark Badertscher, General Manager of the Tequesta Country Club, placed a call to the Red Cross to notify the organization of Tagner’s honorable act. He explained “We have older members of the club and they can feel safe and confident in knowing that our staff is trained in CPR from the American Red Cross.” Badertscher has each of his eight department heads receive Adult, Child & Infant CPR and Choking training on a two year, rotational basis in case of potentially deadly situations like this one. Choking is a breathing emergency that can quickly lead to death if appropriate, immediate care is not administered.

Linda Olson, Director of Safety Education for the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, emphasized the importance of receiving Red Cross safety education. Olson said, “American Red Cross safety training provides everyday people with the skills and confidence to respond quickly and effectively to an emergency.” She continued “Red Cross training can mean the difference between life and death.” The local Red Cross offers CPR/AED courses regularly and during weekdays, evenings and weekends for both professional rescuers and the citizen responder. Training can be done at any location, and even through a blended learning approach, using online training for the knowledge portion and a minimal classroom session to reinforce learning and afford hands-on skill practice. In these courses, Red Cross certified instructors also teach participants how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), an electronic device that is a critical step in cardiac emergencies. A Red Cross CPR and AED certification meets the standards for Emergency Cardiac Care and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

Cheryl Tagner will be nominated for the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit, awarded to people that use Red Cross training in an emergency situation. Of her lifesaving work, Tagner bashfully stated, “It’s not really that big of a deal. I just did what I was taught to do.” If you’d like to receive Red Cross safety education, please call (561) 650-9115 or view our training schedule and enroll online by visiting www.redcross-pbc.org.

Media opportunity to attend a Red Cross safety education class is always welcome and appreciated! Call Brittany Jo Miller, Press Assistant, for details at (561) 718-3527.

# # #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross: For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at www.redcross-pbc.org.

Red Cross Responds to Southeastern Floods with a Consistent Call for Volunteers

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 23, 2009) — After days of severe rain and storms, rapidly rising flood waters have caused residents in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee to evacuate their homes. Media outlets are reporting that up to 10 people have died due to the floods, including children. Additional storms are predicted for the next few days, guaranteeing that the flooding will get worse, and more people will be seeking assistance.

Thousands of residents throughout these states have already been evacuated and the Red Cross, as always, stands ready to help these communities in their time of need. The Red Cross was one of the first on the scene, providing shelter, meals and other emergency assistance. On Monday night the Red Cross had nine shelters open and more than 225 residents across the region had a safe place to sleep and a hot meal. The number of residents served in Red Cross shelters is expected to grow.

The Red Cross response to these floods does not end when the water recedes – this is when Red Cross caseworkers will quickly assess the needs of those affected and work with local partners to connect those in need with available community resources by. When residents return home, the Red Cross will continue to help by providing supplies to help clean-up homes and other support needed to deal with the aftermath of these devastating floods. Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss.

While the strength of the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the Red Cross has not been called upon to at the scene of the floods at this time, volunteers stand ready to serve when needed. The Red Cross has responded to five local disasters in the past three days. Destructive house fires have struck families in Belle Glade, Loxahatchee, Riviera Beach and Clewiston. Volunteer members of the Chapter’s Disaster Action Team serve in “on-call” roles, ready to respond to natural or manmade disasters at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year. The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers to help when local and national disasters strike. Interested volunteers will receive the training they need free of charge in order to provide disaster relief. The Red Cross offers a variety of volunteer roles to accommodate the diverse interests of altruistic community members.

How You Can Help

Help people affected by disasters like the recent floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by all disasters. Please make a donation by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the local American Red Cross chapter (825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach, 33401 – (561) 833-7711 – www.redcross-pbc.org) or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

# # #

MEDIA NOTE: The Red Cross Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, September 24, 2009). Red Cross Chapter Chairman and CEO will be available for comment. Please call Tony Cortese, Director of External Affairs, at (561) 290-9429 to arrange an interview.

Red Cross Addresses Challenges Faced by Our Vets in Free Seminar Today

Topic: Legal, Mental Health, and Social Service Issues Facing Our Veterans

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 4, 2009) — They’re coming home! The Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter has organized a free seminar for legal, social service and mental health professionals and other members of the community interested in learning more about the specific challenges faced by today’s Veterans, set for today, August 4th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eight distinguished professionals will meet at the organization’s headquarters location (825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach) to address several hot topics at the free seminar. Topics include Veteran re-entry into family and work, long-term care for Veterans, Veteran’s housing, readjustment, discharge upgrading, and correction of military records. Seminar guests can interact with speakers during scheduled question and answer sessions while earning continuing education credits and attendance certificates.

Today’s event will feature discussions led by Michael A. Lampert, Esq., Red Cross Chapter Chairman; Dr. Marshall J. Goby, Ph.D., ABPP, Clinical Psychologist; Dr. Raul Diaz, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist; Dr. Jerome Goodman, Ph.D., Retired Psychologist, Palm Beach County Mental Health Board; Fred Rosario, Red Cross Chapter Chief Operating Officer; Scott M. Solkoff, Esq.; Jack Rosenkranz, Esq.; and Kevin P. Davis, Assistant Veterans’ Service Officer. The group of speakers was carefully selected by Lizzette Gamero, Red Cross Planning & Preparedness Coordinator, who organized the event in order to meet the ever-changing needs of such an important and growing population of individuals served by the Red Cross and the greater community. A group of 52 community members have registered for the seminar.

A team of local volunteers coordinated by Harold Praeg, the local Red Cross’ liaison to the VA hospital and a U.S. Veteran himself, logged 2,064 volunteer hours in 2008. Red Cross volunteer services to U.S. veterans date back to World War I and are consistent with the mission of its congressional charter. Today, the Red Cross is proud to maintain its commitment to the sick and disabled men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Volunteers from Red Cross chapters and Red Cross offices on military installations serve in 153 VA hospitals around the nation.. For the Journalist: The event is open for attendance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break occurring from 12:20 to 1:20 p.m.

# # #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross: For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at www.redcross-pbc.org.

Lifeguards Battle in Annual Red Cross Competition to Emphasize

Importance of Water Safety

BOCA RATON, Fla. (July 23, 2009) — A record number of certified lifeguards from Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and St. Lucie counties gathered at Meadows Park Pool in Boca Raton on Sunday, July 19th to demonstrate their skills and acute levels of rescue proficiency in the Red Cross’ Fourth Annual Lifeguard Competition. To begin the splash-filled day of healthy competition, individual lifeguards faced-off for the esteemed title of Ironguard. After performing a timed mock-rescue of a drowning victim, including the administration of CPR, Mike Heath, a member of Boca Raton’s lifeguard team, was named Ironguard 2009. Richard Garza, of Wellington, and Braden Reiber, with The Breakers Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach, finished in second and third place, respectively.

With Ironguard 2009 declared, seven teams of five lifeguards each participated in a group competition to see which area pool packs the most splash. The lifeguards showcased their strength and expertise with a crowd cheering them on as a group of judges rated their levels of performance. The teams were tested in a series of eight events including a passive drowning submerged victim in deep water event, an active multiple victim rescue in deep water event, spinal injury and first aid scenarios, and a deep water tug-o-war. The City of Boca Raton lifeguard team; made up by CJ Burke, Mike Heath, Brad Hughes, Eddie Linares and Taylor Thornbury; captured the first-place title and the annual competition’s traveling trophy.  The Breakers team finished in second place and teams from the DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach and the Village of Wellington tied for third.   Teams representing Michael-Ann Russel JCC, St. Lucie County and Coconut Cover Water Park also participated in the competition.

Created as an awareness event in 2006, the Red Cross’ Annual Lifeguard Competition highlights the level of proficiency and physical stamina demanded of a professional rescuer. Last year, aquatic programs offered by the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter reached 100,611 people. Linda Olson, who organized the competition and serves as Director of Safety Education for the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, said “With Palm Beach County’s 45-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline and summer vacation in full swing, it’s imperative that people take necessary training to learn how to swim and how to react in the event of a water-related emergency.” Olson continued, “It’s most important to always swim in an area supervised by a certified lifeguard.” The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter offers a complete line of courses, providing training for staying safe in, on and around the water. Over 25 pools in Palm Beach County teach Red Cross Aquatic Programs, including Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor courses.                   

# # #

Red Cross Meets Hurricane Preparedness Needs with Condo Kit Invention

 
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 15, 2009) — The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has designed a Condo Kit to meet the emergency supply needs of up to four people during sudden and unpredictable disasters. With the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season is in full swing, the organization urges members of the community to prepare now for the high probability of a severe storm impacting the surrounding area by first getting a kit. The pre-assembled and compact Condo Kit meets a family’s immediate emergency supply needs with: a weather radio, a flashlight with batteries, water pouches, emergency blankets, N-95 grade dust masks, a water-safe storage container, a first aid kit, rain ponchos, sanitation bags, tissue rolls, and a whistle; all within an emergency toilet.

Simplifying the task of gathering preparedness materials was important to the local Red Cross chapter. Red Cross CEO Larry Casey said, “Far too often, members of the community flood local grocery, convenience and hardware stores in the final hours leading up to a storm only to find empty shelves.” He continued, “The Condo Kit is a convenient solution for populations of people who may otherwise be reluctant to become prepared, and those who simply don’t have time to gather necessary materials.” The supplies contained within the kit meet the sudden and unpredictable demands of an emergency like a hurricane.

The all-new Condo Kit is the brain child of Tony Cortese, Marketing and Communications Director for the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter. He identified an opportunity so that the organization can most efficiently carry out its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies while generating much needed revenue for the Red Cross. The kit, which is available for $70, is an investment in safety, comfort and the community. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates half of the American population lives within 50 miles of the coast, and although the kit is first being marketed regionally, the local Red Cross anticipates national feedback. Cortese was successful in launching a similar product while working with another Red Cross chapter.

            The kits are available by purchase online at www.redcross-pbc.org or by calling (561) 833-7711.

#  #  #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.

Red Cross Volunteer Celebrates Two Decades with the Organization

 
JUPITER, Fla. (July 1, 2009) — North Palm Beach resident Harold Praeg, 82, marked his 20^th anniversary of service with the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross on June 30, 2009. Praeg, a U.S. veteran who spent 22 years in the Navy and served in three wars, volunteers with the Red Cross on a regular basis in a Service to Veterans leadership position. Praeg began volunteering with the local Red Cross’ North County Service Center in 1989, the day after he retired from Grumman Aerospace in Stuart after a 23 year-long career with the company.

Praeg began his volunteer career with the Red Cross by driving veterans to the VA hospital in Miami before there was a VA hospital in northern Palm Beach County. He boasts a Red Cross resume full of service to the organization in various capacities, including both locally and nationally. Praeg was appointed to a National Services to Military Families committee, which he chaired for four years. He served an additional four years as one of only four deputies of the country-wide group. Currently, he serves as the local chapter’s liaison to the VA hospital, linking interested volunteers with opportunities to serve. The team Praeg coordinates there logged 2,064 volunteer hours in 2008.

Praeg has been deployed to over 15 national disaster assignments, caring for the immediate emergency needs of people from all walks of life. Praeg had a volunteer presence at Hurricane Andrew in Miami in 1992, a typhoon in Guam in 2002, and several large scale disasters in between. Pledging a minimum of two weeks of volunteer availability during each large-scale disaster he’s participated in, Praeg’s selflessness and commitment to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross is evident. He has served the organization in many other capacities including logistics, damage assessment, building and repair, administration, and communications as an amateur radio operator.

To commemorate Praeg’s two decades of unwavering service to the Red Cross, the organization’s staff and volunteers honored him at a lunch. Praeg’s own personal attitude makes him the quintessential Red Cross volunteer. He took his own area of expertise and identified a fit with the organization. “When I saw chaos, I thought, ‘I can work in that kind of situation.’ I’ve been trained to run toward, not away from disasters,” said Praeg of why he first became involved 20 years ago.

#  #  #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.