American Red Cross

Can you perform these steps in the water, in order, without stopping? This ability could save your life in an emergency. Knowing this swimming sequence is an essential part of being water smart. Learn and practice it, and encourage others to do the same. 🏊🏾

One week after Hurricane Beryl’s landfall, almost 300,000 people remain without power and air conditioning as dangerous high temperatures continue to smother southeast Texas. In addition, many have lost or endured extensive damage to their homes. As 600+ disaster responders focus on providing emergency shelter and supplies to communities still suffering, here are three things you can do right now to help people in need during this challenging time: ➡️ Donate financially to help people who have been affected. Help ensure they don't go through this difficult time alone. ➡️ Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer so that you can help us prepare for and respond to increasing disasters across the country like Beryl. ➡️ Schedule an appointment to give blood and ensure it’s available for hospital patients in need. It's the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency.

Days after Hurricane Beryl touched down in Texas, flooding communities and causing massive power outages, Red Cross disaster teams are focused on supporting the growing need for emergency shelter as people seek relief from continuing extreme heat. Read from our Vice President of Disaster Operations and Logistics Brad Kieserman about what communities are facing after the storm and how you can help in this #LinkedInArticle. You can help people affected by Hurricane Beryl in the United States by making a donation at https://rdcrss.org/3Lkxfew, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting 'BERYL’ to 90999 to make a $10 donation. #HurricaneBeryl #DisasterRelief #DisasterResponse

Liz Giordano is a Red Crosser committed to improving disaster readiness at the neighborhood level. As a volunteer with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, she spearheads programming through the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) initiative. This initiative teaches neighbors to rely on each other in the hours or days following a disaster before fire, medical, police or utility responders can reach them. In the last few years, Liz’s work as a MYN presenter has resulted in hundreds of families being prepared and dozens of individuals trained as presenters to move this important work forward. “The Map Your Neighborhood program brings the tools and resources forward for neighborhoods become able to be resilient and survive a catastrophic disaster,” Liz said. “Disaster responders are not always able to immediately respond following a devastating disaster. For those affected, help can’t come quick enough. I’ve been through many earthquakes out here and a second seems forever. That’s why this program is so critical.” In 2015, Liz took her commitment to the Red Cross mission to a new level by joining the Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders who advance the mission of the Red Cross through focused investments of time, talent, and treasure. “It gives me such a warm feeling inside when I’m surrounded by the women of the Tiffany Circle. They just want to support the Red Cross in any way they can in all different ways, because we're all different. It's a beautiful thing, and it's such an honor to be a part of it.”

Is your home stocked with your favorite snacks in case of a disaster? If not, make a list right now of the nonperishable snacks (and supplies) you’ll need to survive if a disaster strikes. These are some snack ideas to get you started, and while you’re at it, give a snack to someone in need by visiting https://rdcrss.org/3Ljt4zz. Your gift can help bring comfort and hope to someone who has lost everything after a disaster. #GiveASnack

We know the future is in good hands with these amazing, young humanitarians. Red Cross Club leaders from the American Red Cross Central California Region had the opportunity to build essential preparedness skills at the first-ever Disaster Youth Summit. They learned about a variety of roles that our volunteers take on during a disaster, including: - Providing support at shelters. - Navigating public affairs. - Creating informative social media content. We're so grateful that these amazing volunteers took time out of their summer to grow with the Red Cross. 👏🏽

Take it from these young American Red Cross of Northern New England experts: Don't play with the heat, and stay safe by following these important tips. Extreme heat claims the lives of people in this country every year. With more people being exposed to hotter temperatures due to the climate crisis, this is your reminder to stay hydrated, check in on loved ones, and find a public place to cool down if it's too hot at home. #ExtremeHeat #BeatTheHeat

Christian Geye knows the challenges of military life well, having grown up a self-proclaimed Army brat and with her husband and son both serving in the Army. While her husband was stationed at a military base, she participated in a Red Cross resiliency workshop designed to teach military families the necessary skills to cope with transitions and stress. This experience inspired her to become a volunteer and utilize her psychotherapist license to facilitate similar workshops for other military members. She even recruited her dog, Juneau, as a therapy dog to support clients at her private practice! Christian has helped underserved veteran populations — including those in prison systems — using her military background to provide them with mental health resources. She's also traveled to places like Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti to offer resiliency workshops to active duty soldiers. People like Christian make it possible for us to offer continuous support to our military members and their families throughout their service. ❤️ #MilitarySupport #RedCross #ThanksVolunteers

These are just some of the 400 trained Red Crossers who answered the call to support Hurricane Beryl relief efforts across Texas. As communities attempt to begin recovery amid power loss and dangerous high temperatures, our volunteers are welcoming people in shelters, providing a shoulder to lean on for comfort, assisting with replacing medication and medical equipment, and distributing relief supplies and ready-to-eat meals.

If you've ever taken a babysitting class, this is for you! Help us inspire the next generation of babysitters. Tell us how getting certified helped with your professional development. ⬇️