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Chapter News
This is what we're up to, tell us what you are doing and we'll tell your friends
and neighbors here at the
Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross
 The big news is that we need you to join us!
The Second Annual Halloween Ball is coming up. We need volunteers to join the team to help make
this as enjoyable, profitable and memorable as it was last year. Call Annie and see how you can be involved.
Lend a hand to a local military family:
- Perform free services such as car washes, lawn mowing, repair projects, etc.
- Provide childcare while parents attend important informational or support group meetings.
- Mentor or teach children and students through activities such as reading and mentoring.
- Support military veterans. Reach out to veteran health facilities: play games, conduct exercise programs, distribute books or help plant and cultivate healing gardens.
Give the gift of life-become a blood donor or volunteer for a blood drive.
Help your neighbors be prepared for a disaster:
- Distribute information on disasters common to your community-home fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.
- Build disaster kits to help friends and neighbors prepare for local emergencies, or comfort kits for those personally affected by disasters.
- Share your caring and humanity with people around the world.
- Join the world-wide movement to vaccinate children against measles by raising awareness of the Red Cross Measles Initiative.
- Make your neighbors aware of Red Cross services to help locate loved ones in other countries separated by disasters and war.
- Share the values of the Geneva Conventions by distributing information on international humanitarian law.
- When there is a major disaster in your local community, lend your time and skills to support the Red Cross disaster relief effort.
 Safe Seniors off to a great start.
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Senior Citizens everywhere are taking advantage of the newest program offered by the Union County chapter; Senior Citizens, Safe at Home. Attending classes and recieving shelter-in-place kits, seniors at Heritage House, New Columbia Senior Center, Mifflin Place, Meadow View, Kelly Apartments and Club 39 in Mifflinburg have all become safer at home in the event of an emergency. We will be at the West End Library in Laurelton on Friday, August 28th and the Lewisburg Senior Center on Second Street on Monday evening, August 10th at 5:30 and on Wednesday, September 16th at 10:15 to complete the program. If you know someone who would benefit from having one of the kits, please contact us and we will make every effort to get one to them.
American Red Cross partners with Bucknell for the Measles Run
On April 19, a slightly overcast day, runners came from all over Lewisburg to join the fight for childhood immunization against Measles. Bucknell student Amanda Steinke, an intern with Red Cross and a member of the Bucknell track team, put the race together and helped raise almost $500.00 Her proud parents drove up from Lancaster to assist, and as the sun decided to shine after all, an enjoyable time was had by all. Thanks to all the volunteers who came to guide both runners and traffic and thanks to Bucknell for the lovely campus, so condusive to a beautiful run.
 
Runners warm up......................... And the winner is.......Tony Casey
Scrubby Bear makes his first appearance of the year!
Health and Safety Director Pat Keller and her intern Amanda Steinke from Bucknell University went to class recently, to visit children at the Kids of the Kingdom Pre-School in Lewisburg. Amanda, a Political Science and Spanish double major demonstrated the proper technique for hand washing. The children were wildly enthusiastic according to those adults present.
they asked lots of good questions and told some stories about what it's like at their houses, which may or may not make their parents proud! Good lessons learned by all. To schedule a class for your preschool or church call Pat at 524-0400
Are you a scout leader or a teacher? Do you spend quality time with young people? If so you are in a great position to teach them about fires safety. Call us to gather information or to schedule one of our instructors to come to your school or other location to teach kids about fire safety.
The Hometown Heroes Breakfast will take place again this year at Country Cupboad Restaurant May 08th at 7:00am check the events page to make a nomination.
We have provided assistance to several families following fires in their homes in recent months. Unfortunately, two of the homes were completely destroyed. It is that time of year when we ask that you be especially careful about how you use those space heaters, curling irons and clothes dryers! One of the fires mentioned above was actually started by damp clothes spontaneously igniting on top of a running clothes dryer. Other precautions include never leaving a room where candles are burning, not using an oven as a heating device, following manufacturer's instructions to the letter when using space heaters and not overloading electrical outlets. Have chimneys professionally cleaned at least once a year because creosote; that gunk that builds up inside your chimney, is highly flammable. Check on your elderly neighbors and others you know who may live alone and make sure that they too, are following good fire prevention habits. Finally, be sure that you have working smoke detectors throughout your home and that the batteries are changed regularly.
Did you know that the Union County American Red Cross is part of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region? This region is one of 35 American Red Cross regions whose mission is to fulfill the needs of the American people by providing the safest, most reliable and cost-effective blood services through voluntary donations, something the residents of Union County are eager to support. Accomplishing our lifesaving work is made possible by our volunteers, volunteer blood donors, and caring people in the community who organize and sponsor blood drives.
Because we supply more than half the nation's blood, our blood supply must be constantly replenished - lives depend upon it. Hundreds of blood donors are needed in our region each week and in Union County each month. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Union County donors can give blood at any of the local drives sponsored by business and community groups in our area.
For many people considereing retirement, there is an underlying question about the quality of life and relevence they may feel when leaving the work force. Life as a dedicated Red Cross volunteer offers many outlets for creativity, belonging, and connectedness. We are always seeking people to train for disaster deployment, office work, Health and Safety Instructors and let's not forget that it takes a legion of volunteers to run a blood drive. With more than 43 drives per year using an average of 10 volunteers per drive, it is easy to see just how much we rely on good people with time and talent to assist us. Cick here to join our ranks!
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