Lucky 13 Halloween Safety Tips!

Halloween is just around the corner. Here are great tips parents can use to keep children safe!

Fire Safety

Yesterday my son told me they had a fire drill at preschool. I asked him what they did and he replied they lined up and went outside. Then he told me they also practiced a tornado drill and went downstairs. He proceeded to get on the floor and cover his head - just like I did all those years in school.

So they practice what to do in school, but do your children know what to do at home? Have you practiced these drills, selected a meeting place outside and communicated it will all of your family members? Do your children know how and when to call 911? Do they even have access to a phone in this age of cell phones?

Now is the time to answer these questions for yourself and protect your family. Home fires can truly happen to any of us at any time. Be Prepared! It isn't difficult - visit www.grantwood-redcross.org for tips and information.

Oh Baby! Highlights Importance of CPR Training

Have you ever encounted a choking infant? Or even adult? It is a scary situation...unless you know exactly what to do. Red Cross training was recently featured on KWWL's Oh Baby! report.

Take a look at Sunny Lane's report here.

And the follow up report about how one Red Cross trained individual saved a baby's life - here.

What can you do? Register for a class today!

The Future of Planned Givers

The Future of Planned Givers this is a great blog and something for us all to think about. At what age would you consider making a planned gift to charity? 20, 30, 40? Most of us wouldn't consider it until we are much older, right? Well, maybe not!

The Red Cross has easy ways to leave a legacy - find them at www.grantwood-redcross.org under Donate, Leave a Legacy.

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month - are you prepared for an emergency?

The Red Cross has three easy steps to become Red Cross Ready.

1) Get a Kit
2) Make a Plan
3) Be Informed

What should be in your emergency kit?
Supplies for your family to last you up to two weeks including: water (1 gal per person per day); nonperisible food; flashlight; battery operated radio; batteries; essential medications for one week; personal hygene items; baby or pet supplies; extra set of clothing for each family member; copies of important documents (like birth certificates).

What kind of plan?
If your family is separated during the day and a natural disaster occured, how would you contact each other - do you have a meeting place? Is there someone out of state you could all call if cell phones here were down? Where in your home do you go during severe weather? Have you practiced this plan and what to do with all members of your family.

Be Informed you say?
Yes! Know what potential emergencies may occur in your area. When severe weather threatens stay tuned to the radio or TV for watches, warnings, etc.

Hawkeye Chapter Ribbon Cutting

There was a great turnout for the Hawkeye Chapter Open House and Ribbon Cutting on August 11th!

The Hawkeye Chapter showed guests recent renovations including a newly refurbished disaster training room with memorabilia displays, new carpet, paint, windows and more!

If you couldn't make it, feel free to stop in anytime to 2530 University Ave., Waterloo, IA.

What happens when a large disaster strikes?

Your local Red Cross jumps into action quickly. During the recent flooding events across Eastern Iowa Red Cross volunteers helped hand out more than 2,500 meals, 1,900 snacks, 7,500 bottles of water and 750 clean up kits.

To accomplish this we use volunteer help along with our staff to answer phones calls, load supplies, work with area businesses to secure donated or discounted food/bottled water. It is a flurry of activity!

How can you get involved? Volunteer! Click here for our fall disaster training class schedule. Or donate online, by mail or by phone today. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10, which will be added to your mobile phone bill/deducted from your prepaid account.

Hawkeye Chapter Recognition Event

The Hawkeye Chapter was pleased to thank and honor all Chapter volunteers and donors on July 20th. Several volunteers and organizations received special recognition at the event. The entire list of award recipients is at http://www.hawkeyechapter.org/general.asp?SN=5894&OP=5901&IDCapitulo=08YJ4G56R1

Congratulations to Volunteer of the Year - Robert Jones!!

Grainger Donations

Double Donation!

Thank you to the Grainger Foundation for recent donations of $10,000 each to the American Red Cross Hawkeye Chapter & Grant Wood Area Chapter in support of our mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

We've been busy in the Waterloo area helping residents that are cleaning up after flash flooding on Wed., July 7. The Red Cross has given out hundreds of clean up kits from the Hawkeye Chapter office at 2530 University Ave., Waterloo.

Our Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) from the Hawkeye Chapter and Grant Wood Area Chapter have also been out in flooded neighborhoods offering clean up kits, food and bottled water to those cleaning up.

For assistance call the Hawkeye Chapter at 319-234-6831.

Preparing for Flood Danger in Wilderness

Preparing for Flood Danger in Wilderness - Please read this post by the American Red Cross about Flash Flooding and preparing for the elements when you are camping or out in remote locations. Have a safe and fun summer!

KCRG (KCRG) on Twitter

KCRG (KCRG) on Twitter: "Oelwein Officer Credited With Saving Choking Boy: OELWEIN (AP) — An Oelwein police officer is being credited with ... http://bit.ly/aWWlyv"

Thankful there was such a positive outcome. This is an example of why we strive to have at least one person in each household trained in CPR/AED and First Aid.

And it is CPR/AED week! Sign up for a class today! We even have online training - take the book portion online at your leisure, then come in to practice your skills.

Babysitter's Training

Enroll your 10-15 year old in Babysitter's Training this summer at www.grantwood-redcross.org! Courses available in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, North Liberty and more.

One-day, two-day and weeklong camps are available. These programs provide youth with the knowledge and confidence to care for infants, toddlers and elementary age children.

Want to hold a class in your community? Contact the Health and Safety Department at 319-393-3500.

Aquatic Safety PSA

Sign your children up for summer swimming lessons at your local pool. The skills they learn are priceless!

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, warmer temperatures aren't far behind. We encourage you to learn about a variety of classes and trainings through the American Red Cross to ensure you have a safe summer.





Enroll your kids in swimming lessons at your local pool.


Sign up for a CPR and First Aid class at http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/.


Register your 10-15 year old in Babysitter's Training through the Red Cross.


Prepare your family for severe weather and practice your plan.


Purchase a first aid kit for home and your car.

Two Great Nights!

We've been busy the last few weeks with two great fundraising events in Eastern Iowa. PROPS to the Red Cross benefiting the Hawkeye Chapter and BIG B*A*S*H at the Grant Wood Area Chapter. These events raised funds to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies!

New Pet Manikans

Is your pet considered a full-fledged family member? Do you know what to do if your pet is injured or stops breathing? Consider taking Red Cross Pet First Aid for Cats & Dogs! We have new pet manikans, just in today - made possible by a grant from PetCo on Twixt Town Rd in Marion! Check back this summer for fall Pet First Aid class dates. http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/

Eight year old Sylvia dropped off a donation of over $2,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts from the Solon school district. It started with Sylvia asking her teacher if she could raise funds in her classroom and spread from there. We are so proud of Sylvia (pictured with Sarika Bhakta, chapter coo) and her efforts to help those in Haiti!

National Volunteer Week

Red Cross Volunteers save the day! They provide a place to stay and emotional support when their neighbors are faced with a home fire or other disaster. They teach life-saving safety courses such as first aid, CPR, babysitting and care giving. Volunteers connect military families, work at blood drives, and, in general, take the actions needed to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the selfless gifts of time, money and blood the Red Cross has received from the citizens of Eastern Iowa. Thank you. Without your gifts, we could not fulfill the Red Cross mission.National Volunteer Week also is a time to invite you to join us. If you are not a volunteer, give the Red Cross a try. Red Crossers are people who are trained to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies. To volunteer, call 319-393-3500 or visit www.grantwood-redcross.org.

Thanks for the $500 donation to the Hawkeye Chapter from Peet Junior High in Cedar Falls!

Pictured are Elle Stackhouse, Madison Wood and Hawkeye Exec. Director, Sue Beach.

BIG B*A*S*H 2010

View our Mediacom PSA for BIG B*A*S*H 2010!
Get your tickets at www.grantwood-redcross.org

PROPS to the Red Cross is April 23rd!

Get your tickets today to this NEW, CASUAL event in the Cedar Valley! Enjoy a great evening with food from Famous Dave's, music by WAGG and fun all night for a great cause. Support the American Red Cross.

BIG B*A*S*H Tickets on Sale!

The American Red Cross wants you! Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual BIG B*A*S*H presented by Jarvis Property Restoration on Friday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The BIG B*A*S*H is a military themed fundrasing dinner and dance. It will be held at the PS Air, Inc. Hangar near the Eastern Iowa Airport and will feature live entertainment courtesy of local band Tricyclic. Guests will enjoy dinner by Coralville Outback Steakhouse and appetizers provided by Cibo Fusion Restaurant and Lounge. Two free drink tickets are included with each ticket, additional drinks are $3 and will be served by Huntington’s Restaurant. A silent auction will feature a variety of items from travel opportunities to sports memorabilia.

WEAR YOUR UNIFORM/CAMOUFLAGE AND COORDINATE AS A COUPLE OR GROUP AND ENTER THE COSTUME CONTEST!!!

All proceeds from the BIG B*A*S*H will benefit local Red Cross programs such as disaster relief, health and safety education, and military emergency communication.

Our printed invitations came in today and look cool - check it out!

Masters of Disaster

The Grant Wood Area Chapter hosted 35 youth ages 6-10 last Saturday for our annual Masters of Disaster. This program teaches youth how to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in a fun and interactive way. The went through a "tornado" wind tunnel and crawled below streamers to practice what they should do in a house full of smoke. A special thanks to KCRG's Kaj O'Mara for a weather presentation. What a fun day!

Babysitters Training

Today we have 10 young babysitters in training at the Grant Wood Area Chapter Red Cross in Cedar Rapids. They are attending a two-day training over their spring break. Most will use the skills they learn to help care for younger siblings or earn spending money by caring for other children on weekends or this summer. They'll learn the basics of caring for elementary age kids and younger. How to deal with temper tantrums to weather emergencies! Last year we trained 485 area babysitters!

Allen College Students Assist Hawkeye Chapter

These Allen College students recently finished a service learning project for the Hawkeye Chapter. The group updated the client referral list in our six county area and did a great job!

Battery Up Eastern Iowa!

The Twiseltons are just one of many Eastern Iowans households that have been assisted by the Grant Wood Area Chapter's Battery Up program. This free program partners the Red Cross with area Fire Departments to help elderly and disabled residents replace batteries and old smoke detectors in their homes. Annually the Red Cross assists 450-500 households in nine area counties. This year's program is sponsored in part by Jarvis Property Restoration.

Online Store

We are excited to announce the launch of our online store at www.grantwood-redcross.org. This is an easy way to become Red Cross Ready. Purchase first aid kits, emergency preparedness items, breathing barries and more!

March is Red Cross Month

Support your local Red Cross and enjoy an evening out at one of these area restaurants!

March 2 - Las Margaritas, Waterloo 5-10 p.m.

March 4 - HuHot Mongolian Grill, Cedar Falls 5-9 p.m.

March 9 - Doughy Joey’s Peetza Joynt, Waterloo 5-8 p.m.

March 9 & 10 - Texas Roadhouse, Cedar Rapids 4-10 p.m. Must take a flyer

March 10 - Okoboji Grill in Independence 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

March 11 - Perkin’s on University Ave, Waterloo 4-9 p.m.

March 15-18 - Chili's Bar and Grill, Cedar Rapids all day Must take a flyer

March 16 - AMIGO’S, Cedar Falls 4-8 p.m.

March 18 - CU, Waterloo 5-10 p.m.

March 23 - Fainting Goat, Waverly 5-9 p.m.

March 24 - Buffalo Wild Wings, Iowa City 5-9 p.m. Must take this flyer

March 25 - Jameson’s, Waterloo 4-Close

March 30 - Harmony Restaurant, Waverly 4:30-9 p.m.

March 31 - Pita Pit (Waterloo & Cedar Falls) all day

U of Iowa Student & Red Cross Volunteer Helps Peers

Cassie Slagle is a go-getter. (That's her in the camo at our BIG BASH event.) We knew it from the time she spent as an Americorps VISTA at the Grant Wood Area Chapter. We were thrilled when after her time with us she was accepted to the nursing program at the University of Iowa. We are lucky enough to have kept her as a volunteer. And last week she was able to put her skills to use to help a group her fellow U of I students affected by an apartment fire.

Cassie was called to the scene and was able to begin the process of making sure displaced apartment residents had lodging, along with money to replace lost food and clothing. To make things even better she agreed to tell her story to the Daily Iowan and encourage others to become Red Cross volunteers.

Thank you Cassie and all of our wonderful volunteers!!

Babysitters Training Takes Off

Last year in our nine area counties the Grant Wood Area Chapter trained 485 new babysitters ages 10-15! The number have grown each year from 230 to 262, to 311 now 485!

The goal is to train even more this year. We have trainings coming up over spring break in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Check our web site for a training near you in North Liberty, Manchester, etc. http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/ under Take A Class, Traditional Course.

This is a great way for youth to make a few extra dollars on weekends or during the summer!

The Hawkeye Chapter is busy preparing for CPR Sunday on March 7, 2010 at the UNI Wellness & Rec Center in Cedar Falls. This is an annual event to train community members in CPR/First Aid at a greatly reduced cost. It is fun way to learn to save a life - take the training with a friend or two. Visit http://www.hawkeyechapter.org/ to for more information and to register. Or call 319-234-8851.

If you have cabin fever (like us!) start making your summer plans now.

Are you going to sign up your kids for Red Cross swimming lessons at your area pool?

We also have a great list of Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructor courses at http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/ under Services, Health and Safety, Aquatics. It truly is more than just a job, it is an experience that can save a life!

Any great lifeguarding stories out there? We'd love to hear about them.

Gatherings is holding a Hearts for Haiti fundraiser to support Red Cross efforts in Haiti. Every Friday evening from 5 pm - close, now through Feb 13, 2010 donations will be collected and a portion of the night's proceeds will go to relief efforts. Gatherings in located at 905 3rd Ave, SE in Cedar Rapids.

Red Cross Responds in Haiti

Here is what you need to know about what the Red Cross is doing to help with the earthquake response in Haiti:

Aid is still getting to those who need it despite a recent strong aftershock and huge logisitical challenges.

The Red Cross is reaching survivors outside of the capital city with food, water and medical supplies. The American Red Cross is working with the World Food Program and providing 3 million pre-packaged meals for distribution. So far, 100 tons of aid has reached Haiti and more is coming.

This is an enormous relief effort and we know it will be a long term recovery - the Red Cross will be there throughout.

What is the best way to help?
People can make a financial donation by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-Red-Cross or texting 'Haiti' to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.

If you are raising funds for this response and plan to donate them to the American Red Cross please contact your local chapter - Hawkeye Chapter Wloo/CF 319-234-6831 or Grant Wood Chapter in CR/IC 319-393-3500.

Thank you for your generosity!

Since the information is changing at a rapid rate you can always get the latest updates at www.redcross.org