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Holiday Mail for Heroes Program Underway until December 9th

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Would you like to help brighten up the holidays for a service member, veteran or their families?  The American Red Cross has kicked off its Holiday Mail for Heroes program.    They’re partnering with Pitney Bowes for the fifth annual program.

Pitney Bowes helps gather the cards and screen them for safety reasons.  Red Cross staff and volunteers around the world sort the cards and see that they’re delivered to military members, veterans and their families.

Red Cross spokesman Peter Macias says he recently spoke to a friend in the military who had just returned from the Middle East.  His friend received a stack of 25 cards last year wrapped in a red ribbon from the local Red Cross office.  Some of the cards were store bought and some were handmade by children.  He told Macias it was a great way to spend the holidays away from home.

You can make or buy a card and mail it to the Holiday Mail for Heroes post office box or you can make the  card on line.  You can fill out your message at mailforheroes.com. It just costs $1. A card will be generated and sent off to the troops. 

The deadline is December 9th. For more details on the program, go to redcross.org/holidaymail

The mailing address is:  

 Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791

Flood Recovery Efforts Begin

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The unofficial death toll stands at 12, according to Governor Tom Corbett’s latest briefing.  “I believe though that a combination of planning, quick response by emergency responders throughout the affected region and the bravery of those emergency crews have prevented that number from going higher,” Corbett says.  State officials estimate that more than 2,000 homes have been damaged.  

The governor says the recovery phase of the flooding disaster will be long and difficult.  “It’s going to be the coordination of the local, county, state and federal [governments].  Many people are going to be asking for help.” 

Flooding -- Bloomsburg.

The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds were overtaken by the Susquehanna River. Volunteers are now helping in a massive cleanup operation to get ready for opening day.

Some northeastern Pennsylvania residents haven’t even been able to get back into their homes to view the damage.  “At the height there were 21-shelters open, there are still 16-shelters open,” explains Red Cross public affairs manager Janice Osborne.  “Our primary role right now is to provide shelter for people, to provide food, and for the immediate emergency needs such as emotional counseling, toiletry items.” 

The Red Cross is preparing and distributing 20,000 hot meals a day.  Cleanup supplies are arriving by the truckload, but they still need your monetary help.  Blood donations are also valuable, as Osborne says many of the blood donation collection sites had to close down due to the flooding.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is warning affected residents not to rush back into their homes, as they must be dried and thoroughly cleaned first.  Everything the flood water touched should be disinfected, but many items – like mattresses and carpets – are better off in the dumpster.

Red Cross Puts Out Nationwide Call For Blood

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The American Red Cross has put out a national call for blood donations. The blood supply has dropped to critically low levels as we get into the heat of the summer months, with many donors traveling or busy and schools out of session.

Mike Baisey, Communications Manager for the Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region, says there’s a need for all blood types, but especially O negative, which can be used for virtually any patient in a trauma situation. He says that blood type is absolutely vital to have on hand in the emergency room.

You can go on line to redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive nearest you.  By entering your zip code, you can find a list of donation opportunities.  Donors can also call 1-800-Red-Cross for more information on local blood drives. Baisey says they’re adding drives and extending hours, so the list will be updated during the week.  He says they want to provide as much opportunity to donate as they can, providing the community every opportunity to make a donation.

Baisey says they’re asking anyone who may be eligible to please schedule a donation at a donor center or a mobile blood drive in their area, and do it as soon as possible. He says they want to make sure the Red Cross can provide the needed blood supply to all of the local hospitals to make sure they don’t get into a situation where elective surgeries might be in question.