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Breaking News...

What would you do if you came home from work and....

On Friday, February 26th we assisted one individual whose house on Prairie Street was a total loss.He didn't know where to turn when he arrived home from work and his house was burnt to the ground. The Elkhart Fire Department directed him to us where he was provided 3 nights in a hotel, food, and clothing.

(Elkhart Fire)

The month of June was extremely busy here at the Elkhart County American Red Cross....there were 4 homes that were damaged from fires...3 in Elkhart and 1 in Goshen.

We provided financial assistance to 6 different families (18 individuals) who suffered tragic fires to their homes, most of which were totally destroyed! Financial assistance of over $3,000 was provided for food, clothing, and shelter.

Our hearts to go out to these families as they try and rebuild their lives.

(Goshen Fire)

What would you do if you came home from work and....

One Parent Believes The Red Cross BAT Program Is A Valuable Resource:

The Elkhart County American Red Cross teaches a program called Basic Aid Training (BAT) where Red Cross volunteers and staff provide 6 hours of training to over 2,500 fourth grade students in every Elkhart County school every year. They learn everything from rescue breathing to poison prevention. Here is what one parent from Cleveland Elementary had to say about the program:

"I want to extend a huge thank you to whoever from your team facilitates the elementary school training. Last week, my son Timmy who is a 4th grade student at Cleveland Elementary, received a full day training event at his school. He felt proud to receive his Basic Aid Training completion card and he has been talking all about what he has learned for a week! So exciting! We all learned that the worst thing you can do if someone is choking is to pat them on the back! So good to know! And he has even learned a lot about cardiac arrest (his great grandfather has a heart condition so thanks to the class he understands his health issues more). I am very grateful for this opportunity for him! Please pass along a huge thank you to anyone involved! I am speaking for many Cleveland parents when I say we are all excited about what our children now know thanks to your team at the Red Cross!"
Tyfanny Mosso, Parent

Welcome to all of our NEW Faith-Based Organizations!!

The Elkhart County American Red Cross would like to welcome all organizations to our new FBCI program. Click on the logo above for a list of our participants.

We are very excited that they are partnering with the Elkhart Chapter! These organizations are receiving training and will be ready to respond by being prepared to open a shelter in the event a disaster would ever hit Elkhart County.

Believe it or not, it has been 1 year since this program has launched. Every year, these organizations will participate in a "mock disaster" drill. Throughout the spring, the Elkhart Red Cross will hold these drills at five locations around the county. Teams from over twenty churches and community organizations, who are a part of the FBCI, will apply their disaster skills gained in boot camps to simulate shelter response to natural disasters. Each team will practice running the shelter half of the day and spend the other half experiencing the shelter from the clients' point of view.

You too can become a part of the FBCI community.

Already part of the FBCI community and need to request a background check?

Online WSI Update:

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Fire Prevention and Smoke Detector Campaign

Did you knopw that 70% of home fire deaths in the country result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms? Because of this alarming statistic, the Elkhart County Chapter of the American Red Cross in partnership with local fire departments will kick off Fire Prevention Month by leading a "S.A.F.E Today" campaign. On Saturday, October 2nd volunteers will canvas neighborhoods providing fire prevention information, batteries for smoke detectors that are not working and even arrange for installation of smoke detectors where there are none. The more volunteers we have, the more homes we can visit.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
Join on us Saturday, October 2nd from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Help make your community safe!!

Print your registration form here
OR
Sign-up online here

This campaign is made possible by the support from:

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Things you should know...

Need to Take CPR for the Professional?

You are in luck.....The Elkhart County American Red Cross has scheduled 2 classes!

Class I: Tues, Oct 5th 5:30-10 pm &
Thurs, Oct 7th 5:30-10 pm**

Class II: Tues, Oct 26th 5:30-10 pm &
Thurs, Oct 28th 5:30-10 pm**

**Must attend both sessions to receive certification**

They are filling up quick...REGISTER HERE!

Check out this new video from our First Annual Red Carpet Event: There's No Place Like Home.....

WE NEED YOUR HELP....

Do you have a child or grandchild who is in elementary school? Do you like to work with children? Do you feel the need to help this generation be prepared for emergencies? If you answered yes to any of the these questions, BAT needs your help! BAT (Basic Aid Training) is taught to fourth grade students throughout Elkhart County. If you are interested in volunteering for this great cause, please contact Judy Christophel at the Elkhart Red Cross office 574-293-6519 or by email at judyc@elkhartredcross.org.

CHECK OUT OUR BABYSITTER'S CLASSES:

Register Online Here

Join us for our next class:

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Saturday, December 18, 2010

All classes are from 9am-4pm at the

Elkhart Red Cross Office

574-293-6519 for more information.

Please bring a sack lunch...

Latest News

Red Cross hosts party for military families

Nearly 50 people attended the first annual back-to-school

picnic for military families hosted by the Elkhart County

Red Cross. Funded by a grant through Red Cross' Services

to the Armed Forces, the party brought local military

families together at the Red Cross for an evening of food,

fun, and games, with each school-aged child receiving a

free backpack loaded with school supplies. The evening

started with a picnic consisting of hotdogs, macaroni

salad, baked beans, and cookies. Each person and family

had their picture taken as they registered, and those pictures

were put into frames the families decorated. The pictures

will serve as mementos of the picnic as well as much

needed comfort if one of the family members must be away

from home serving our country. Guests also played Red

Cross bingo, water ball, and tornado twister outside. A

fantastic time was had by all, making it a great success!

Backpacks are still available for military families in

Elkhart County who were unable to attend the picnic.

If you are interested, please call the Elkhart County

Red Cross at 293-6519.

Additional News

Family of three without home in summer heat....

The Elkhart County Red Cross assisted a Bristol family of three early this morning when fire heavily damaged their home. The family was asleep when a fire began in a hallway and quickly raced through the structure. Thanks to the attentive family pit-bull, all family members got out safely and were unhurt. Apparently, "Thor" woke the family up and even tried to pull the baby and basinet out of the house. The Red Cross was able to provide short-term housing, money for food, clothing and blankets and a port-a-crib for the baby.

DISASTER BOOT CAMPS!

The disaster boot camp is the basic class to be a Red Cross disaster volunteer, which is an introduction to the mission of the Red Cross and how to run an emergency shelter.

Hurry and sign up for the next basic class:

Saturday, 9/25/10 from 8:30am - 4:30 pm
&
Saturday, 10/23/10 from 8:30am-4:30pm

Already had the basic class and want to take your knowledge to the next level?

Classes are being scheduled so if you are interested please call the office and speak to Becki.

Call 574-293-6519 to sign up!

ARE YOU READY?

Where you work, are there First Responders trained in CPR and First Aid? If your answer is "NO", call Donna today at 574-293-6519. You can help your company be ready to save a life in an emergency!!