Tea Time for Asheville!

Asheville isn't a tea toddler's town by any means. We've been named Beer City USA many years in a row but there are just oh so many other hours in the day besides happy hour.

That's why Asheville is going for the title of Tea Town USA via McAlister's Deli.

"Tea Town USA isn't just a battle for bragging rights — it's also a scramble to claim thousands of dollars for local nonprofits. Through votes, smartphone check-ins and special challenges, each town racks up points, and the towns with the most points will score big for groups within their communities."

Which local nonprofit has McAlister's chosen as the possible recipient of the $7,500 prize? You guessed it. The good ol' Red Cross of WNC. So if you think Asheville brews the best tea in the USA, be sure to vote here.

It's a vote for McAlister's. It's a vote for tea time. It's a vote for the Red Cross. It's a vote for your community.

The first time's the hardest...

... that's why there are cookies. And "tragic needle accidents" never actually occur, for the record. Thanks for your kindness and bravery, Justin!

Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up!

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

CHINA: The Red Cross Society of China has deployed an emergency water unit to provide clean, safe drinking water to the flood hit Hubei province.

TURKEY: As the numbers fleeing unrest in Syria the continue to rise, Turkish Red Crescent is responding to their immediate needs, providing shelter, meals, health and psychological support in government-run camps close to the border.

SENEGAL: In cooperation with the Bignona medical district, the ICRC has helped build and equip a new maternity facility in an area hit hard by armed violence. "Until now, there was nothing but a basic sheet-metal shelter set up for childbirth," said a nurse from the village.

NIGERIA: A total of 31 teachers from 20 Nigerian universities gathered in Abuja to attend a three-day training course on international humanitarian law organized by the ICRC.

SOMALIA: The ICRC has just completed a distribution of seed and tools for more than 95,000 people in drought-stricken areas.

KENYA: Water from a rock - The Red Cross has completed the Kawalash rock catchment system, a new water project that will benefit some 5,000 residents of the Ol Donyiro area in northern Kenya.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Take a Cue from Tom Hanks!

We're currently recruiting Tom Hanks to be our newest Red Cross volunteer? Why? Because he knows the importance of knowing the weather forecast! That may seem a little pedestrian to some but knowing your local weather forecast can save lives.

With all of the weather-related disasters reaching the headlines recently, you can safely assume the Red Cross knows the value of using forecasts to prepare for and respond to disasters.

So how about you? Do you know the predicted high temperature in your area today? Do you know if there is an ozone alert? Or a heat index alert? Do you know what those terms mean?

Having this basic knowledge can mean the difference between life or death.

But it doesn't have to all be doom and gloom. Take a hint from Tom Hanks and have fun with it!

Parsons The New School of Design’s PETLab has teamed up with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre to develop a set of games about disaster preparedness in the face of flooding, drought and other climate change related issues. The initiative, which we call "Games for Disaster Preparedness", are playful, often non-digital activities that actively engage participants in experiential learning, through the simulation of complex decisions with consequences. In other words: fun capacity building.

So head on over to the PETLab/Red Cross Climate Center website to try your luck in a round of Weather or Not!, Telephone or Before the Storm. In fact, play with the whole family!

Type O Alert - Please Donate!

The supply of type O negative blood at the American Red Cross has dropped to critical levels.

If you are a type O negative donor you can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a lingering summer shortage.

“The American Red Cross is reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to help recruit type O negative blood donations to help meet the needs of patients in our community,” says Kristi Brown, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Blood Services – Carolinas Region.

Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

While all blood types are needed during the critical summer months, the Red Cross urges those eligible donors with blood type O negative to make and keep appointments to give blood this summer.

We highly encourage all type O negative blood donors who meet the eligibility requirements to double the difference by becoming a double red cell donor. If eligible, you can give to give two donations at once.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or click here to find a convenient blood donation location and to schedule a lifesaving blood donation appointment.

Also, please remember Operation Blood Drive, our largest single-day collection effort of the year, being held this Thursday.


Thank you from your American Red Cross and the hospital patients we serve.

See ya later, post-donation cookies... Helloooooo, french pastries!

We like to treat our loyal blood donors every now and then. And for those of you who are a little squeamish about rolling up your sleeve, what better incentive than the promise of a sweet n' stick treat?

So beloved blood donors, how about a strawberry and white chocolate post-donation scone? Or a hot buttery cinnamon roll? Cream cheese danish more your style? They've got that too and everything else under the oven.

Crème Patisserie & Confectionery will be our blood collection sponsor Tuesday, June 28th. Come to our 100 Edgewood Rd. location to donate blood from 10am-7pm and enjoy some sweet & savory treats! All presenting donors also get a 10% off coupon at Crème and have a chance at winning a $3000 American Express card!

Be sure to "like" Crème's page on Facebook, too!

Infographic: Blood Donation at a Glance

Here it is, folks. Everything you ever wanted to know about blood donations but were too afraid to ask!

Source: EmergencyPlanningExperts.com

So now that you know everything you need to know, why not consider donating at this year's Operation Blood Drive?

Red Cross Responds to Strong Overnight Storms in WNC; Emergency Teams and Response Vehicle Dispatched

The American Red Cross in WNC is responding to a series of strong overnight storms in Jackson, Swain and Graham Counties to assist victims who have sustained damage to their property and businesses.

Currently, two 4-person volunteer disaster response teams from the region are responding to the storms, conducting damage assessment and serving snacks and refreshments from the Emergency Response Vehicle to victims and responders from law enforcement and fire departments. Affected residents and businesses are being offered clean-up supplies, tarps to cover damaged roofs and other assistance as warranted.

“We are working closely with emergency management officials in all three heavily effected counties to assess damage and what is needed on the ground,” said Patrick Fitzsimmons, Red Cross CEO in WNC. “Depending on the damage assessment, we will respond with supplies and people as needed.”

According to early reports, several houses had roof damages caused by high winds and downed trees. Additionally, a large number of residents and businesses in the area remain without power.

Individuals and businesses interested in assisting with the disaster response can make a financial donation to The American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC 28804, by going to www.redcrosswnc.org or by calling 828-258-3888, Donations should be designated for Disaster Relief.

June 23: Operation Blood Drive!

On June 23, 2011, Western North Carolina will hold what we hope to be the largest blood drive of the year. With donors on vacation and preoccupied with other summer activities, collections tend to take a dip, but the Red Cross hopes to avoid a shortage this summer by asking donors to join together in making giving the “Gift of Life” a part of their summer plans.

The drive will be held at 2 locations in Western North Carolina!

Asheville, NC - 7:00am - 6:00pm
Trinity Baptist Church
216 Shelburne Road Asheville, NC 28806-2318

Hendersonville, NC - 7:00am - 6:00pm
Grace Lutheran Church 1245 6th Avenue West
Hendersonville, NC 28739-3311

All presenting donors will receive a free t-shirt and a chance to win a $3,000 gift credit card.

Call Stacy Taylor at 258-3888 ext. 414 for more information.

Donated blood can be used to treat hospital patients who have cancer, bone marrow transplant recipients, victims of traumatic injury, and various other blood disorders. One unit of separated blood can provide several components to meet individual patient needs; up to three lives can potentially be saved from one donation.

Donor eligibility involves minimum age, weight and health requirements. Donors must present a donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID prior to donation.

Never given blood before? Check out the First-Time Donor section, which includes information about what to expect when giving blood, tips for a successful donation, and an explanation of what happens to your donated blood.

Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up!

Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

HONDURAS: The ICRC is helping to mitigate the effects of violence in schools with a training workshop on humanitarian principles and first-aid in the city of Tela.

Côte d'Ivoire: Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting, other violence and looting over the past few months. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have begun to distribute food, seed and other emergency aid in 35 villages east of Bangolo.

AFGHANISTAN: Fighting has been ongoing west of Qaysar since early May, displacing thousands of people from more than 20 villages and triggering a distribution of emergency aid by the ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society in this highly volatile, hard-to-reach part of north-west Afghanistan.

LIBERIA: The ICRC donated a complete sets of books on international humanitarian law, the branch of international law that governs armed conflict, to both the Ministry of Defence and the Liberian armed forces.

ICELAND: When Grimsvötn, a sub-glacial volcano in southeast Iceland, erupted last week Red Crossers immediatley opened two shelters, activated a 24-hour helpline and mobilized psychosocial support teams to help those affected.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

S.O.S: New Android App by the American Red Cross!

Got an Android? Feeling left out ever since the American Red Cross developed the iPhone Shelter App?

Well, no longer! Now there's pocket-sized peace of mind available for your mobile device too!

Introducing the new S.O.S. App for Android: offering emergency care protocols & guides, by the American Red Cross & Dr. Oz.


The American Red Cross and Dr. Oz have teamed up with Sharecare to create the ultimate emergency care app exclusively for Android mobile devices. The S.O.S. app provides step-by-step video narration by Dr. Oz and follow along demonstrations allowing people to quickly and confidently respond to common emergency situations with the goal of saving lives. This free app also includes an expansive Resource Guide for easy access to additional emergency care information.

Animal Cruelty or Green Heroism?

Elephants from the Picadilly Circus have been commissioned (peanuts = living wage?) to assist in the post-tornado cleanup in Joplin, Missouri. As you can see in the video below, the elephants are highly efficient at moving cars and other large debris that would otherwise require several bulldozers.

So what do you think? Are these Elephants being exploited for free labor? Is this a nice break from circus life? Is this a green alternative to using bulldozers and other construction machinery?

Watch the video and then cast your vote in the poll in the left sidebar!