TONIGHT’S GALA MEETING IS CANCELED

empoweredtampabayrc — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:22:09 +0000

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GALA COCKTAIL HOUR MEETING FOR TONIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELED. WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ONCE IT’S RESCHEDULED. THANKS!

Information on Red Cross Sending Volunteers to International Disasters

koikej — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:50:24 +0000

We’ve gotten hundreds of calls from people wanting to deploy to Haiti. We thought it would be helpful for you to know how Red Cross operates during an International Disaster. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email empowered@usa.redcross.org.

How does the American Red Cross respond to international disasters?

The American Red Cross can respond to international disasters by sending financial assistance, pre-positioned relief supplies from our global warehouses and trained emergency response personnel, or any combination of the three. We send the contribution either to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or directly to the affected national Red Cross or Red Crescent society in support of the response operation.

The most common way the American Red Cross supports international disasters is through financial assistance, and this is why cash donations from the public are the most effective way of supporting ARC international responses. Cash enables local Red Cross/Crescent responders to identify and address the most immediate needs, such as providing food and water or repairing damaged homes. When used to purchase relief supplies, cash reduces the time and cost of delivery to affected populations. It also stimulates the local economy, often undermined by a disaster.

When do other national societies need international assistance?

The severity of the disaster—in terms of affected population and infrastructure—generally determines whether a national society requests assistance. Even if a large disaster occurs and prompts media attention, most national societies have their own staff and volunteers who are trained and prepared to respond and manage the disaster operation. For example, Indonesia experiences frequent intense earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; as a result, the Indonesian Red Cross has the history and capacity to handle most of their disaster operations without outside support. Local national societies only request assistance when a disaster exceeds their capacity to respond.

When does the American Red Cross deploy international disaster responders?

The role of the American Red Cross in responding to international crises differs from its domestic disaster responses. After a disaster in another country, the American Red Cross provides aid only after the local Red Cross or Red Crescent society requests assistance from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement). When help is requested, the International Federation coordinates the appropriate resources needed, including personnel. Ideally, regional responders closest to the affected country are skilled and available. If not, the International Federation looks to its global network. Many partner national societies, like the American Red Cross, also have volunteers and staff ready. Based on language and technical skills, the International Federation selects the best suited people available to deploy.

Earthquake in Haiti

koikej — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:24:55 +0000

You can be proud to know that your American Red Cross has been working to help with the Disaster Relief efforts in Haiti since the event occured on January 12th.

In times like these, people want to help and they turn to the American Red Cross with their questions for volunteering, in-kind donations and financial donations.

The greatest need right now is for Financial Donations. If you would like to donate, you can text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Relief efforts. This will automatically be taken from your cell phone bill. You can also go to www.flwestcoastredcross.org/donate and give directly to the International Relief Fund.

Stay tuned for more . . .

Member Spotlight…Katie Lenover

empoweredtampabayrc — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:37:35 +0000

Katie Lenover

Hometown: Champaign, Illinois

Education: BA Political Science, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Company/Title: Fresh Threads, Junior League of Tampa Bay, Emerge Tampa Bay

Career/Personal Goals: I would like to be a successful business person, focusing on helping those in need.

EMPOWERED role: Membership program coordinator and Media relations coordinator

Why did you join EMPOWERED? I have always had an interest in becoming involved and learning more about the Red Cross, and wanted to meet other young professionals with similar interests and goals as me.

If you had to describe EMPOWERED in 5 words, what would they be? Inspiring, dedicated, fun, involved, and EMPOWERING!!

What has been you favorite EMPOWERED event and why? I had a lot of fun at the Birthday Bash, it was the first time I went to Ybor city. I especially enjoyed the band.

What was your first exposure to the American Red Cross? I worked with my Grandmother to distribute food and water to victims of a tornado near my home in Illinois.

How long have you lived in the Tampa Bay area? Almost 2 years.

What is your favorite thing to do/spot in the Tampa Bay area? I absolutely love having the beaches so close; my favorite place is Frenchy’s on Clearwater beach…yum!

Are you a member who wants to be spotlighted? Email us at empowered@usa.redcross.org. Want to become a member? Learn how here.

Red Cross October One Minute Update

empoweredtampabayrc — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:04:23 +0000

In the wake of the California wildfires we responded to a stream of disasters across the globe:

Sept. 20th: Floods in Atlanta; Sept. 26th: Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines & Vietnam; Sept. 28th: Tsunami in American Samoa; Sept. 30th & Oct. 1st: Two earthquakes in Indonesia.

Click here to read more

FREE Concert Tickets!

empoweredtampabayrc — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:59:30 +0000

Thanks to the generosity of AEG Live, LLC the Red Cross has been given a handful of tickets to the KISS concert. The concert is next Wednesday, October 21^st at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. The concert begins at 7:30PM and doors open at 6:30PM. If you would like a pair of tickets, please email meynardieb@usa.redcross.org ASAP. Tickets will be first come, first serve, make sure to tell her that you’re an EMPOWERED Member.

Red Cross Responds to Baywater Apartment Fires

empoweredtampabayrc — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:02:22 +0000

Monday, September 21st, the Red Cross responded to a 3 alarm fire call at Baywaters Apartment Complex. The fire displaced 36 people with 8 units currently uninhabitable. The Red Cross has helped these families with food, clothes, and shelter.

Click here to see more photos from the fire

Raymond James Community Fair

empoweredtampabayrc — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:22:51 +0000

Sara McMillan and Katie Lenover attended the third annual Raymond James Community Fair. With over 50 local organizations in attendance, EMPOWERED was able to make connections with other organizations as well as many individuals that passed by the EMPOWERED table. This was a great opportunity to network as well as inform our community about EMPOWERED.

Click on the link below to see more pictures from the event!

Member Spotlight . . . Andrew Nelson

koikej — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:06:48 +0000

Andrew Nelson

Hometown: Tampa

Education: Bachelors Degree from University of Florida

Company/Title: Levin Financial Group

Career/Personal Goals: I would like to become a person known for giving back to the community.

EMPOWERED role: 5K Coordinator for 2010

Why did you join EMPOWERED? To get involved in the Red Cross.

If you had to describe EMPOWERED in 5 words, what would they be? Volunteers Improving the Tampa Community.

What has been you favorite EMPOWERED event and why? The 5k, it showed the amount of support the Red Cross has in Tampa.

What was your first exposure to the American Red Cross? Taking CPR classes when I was young.

How long have you lived in the Tampa Bay area? Ever since I was born.

What is your favorite thing to do/spot in the Tampa Bay area? I love being out on the water.

Is there something that you are looking for that you would like suggestions finding? I always like hearing about good, new places to eat.

Is there something that you want EMPOWERED Members to know about you? I like playing tennis and I’m always up for a match.

Are you a member who wants to be spotlighted? Email us at empowered@usa.redcross.org. Want to become a member? Learn how here.

Eat at Bob Evan’s This Weekend and Help the Red Cross!

empoweredtampabayrc — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:21:46 +0000

Visit participating Bob Evans Restaurants on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 11th –13th, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and present the attached Bob Evans flyer and the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter will earn 15% of sales when you carryout or dine at the following participating locations:

9115 U.S. 19 N., Holiday
4900 34th Street N., St. Petersburg
7550 U.S. 19 N., Pinellas Park
29335 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater
2410 66th Street N., St. Petersburg
1600 U.S. 19 N., Holiday
3335 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater
16314 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
11720 Tampa Gateway Boulevard, Seffner
10119 Horace Avenue, Tampa
12272 Morris Bridge Road, Temple Terrace
102 Commercial Center Drive, Sun City

Please consider wearing a Red Cross shirt while dining to show support of the American Red Cross!