The AmeriCorps National Preparedness and Response

Corps (NPRC) is designed to support the American Red

Cross goal of increasing community resilience by helping

individuals and communities prevent, prepare for, re-

spond to and recover more quickly from disasters.

With funding from PG&E, the Capital Region Chapter has

been able to recruit three full-time AmeriCorps NPRC

members this year to help build preparedness programs

for local schoolchildren. Some of the preparedness proj-

ects they have led or joined include:

• Creating an education program for kids, including

a “Train the Trainer” component to help spread the

preparedness message to our community through

volunteer educators

• Responding to local disasters by participating on lo-

cal disaster action teams, as well as being deployed to national disasters

• Helping build the Capital Region's capacity to respond to disasters by recruiting and supporting disaster

preparedness and response volunteers focusing on recruitment of youth and ethnically diverse volunteers

• Broadening the reach of preparedness messaging into high risk communities, including low income, ur-

ban and rural areas, as well as approaching local elementary schools

To learn more about NPRC or to schedule a preparedness training at your school, contact Christy Woods at

christy.woods@redcross.org or call 916-993-7088.

Teaching Kids How to be Ready for Disasters

INSIDE

Crossroads

A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS CAPITAL REGION CHAPTER SPRING 2012Serving Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, eastern Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Yolo counties

P2 Message from the CEO P3 Red Cross Youth Clubs P4 Local Teens Give Back

Crossroads | SPRING 20122

The American Red Cross Capital

Region Chapter is committed to

engaging youth and young adults

in carrying out the mission of

the Red Cross. We recognize that

their involvement today, ensures

a healthy and vibrant organiza-

tion for the future. We often

discover that those initiating

Red Cross Clubs or activities in

their local community have been

touched in some way by the Red

Cross, or they are inspired to give

back and share their time through

volunteering.

In this issue of Crossroads, you

will hear how our region’s future

leaders are taking an active role

to create safer and more prepared

communities through training

others and themselves. You will

also learn how a group of moth-

ers partner with their daughters

in serving military members and

veterans.

We thank each of the talented

individuals that share their time

and talents as part of our youth

programs, and for inspiring an

older generation on the impor-

tance of service and helping

others!

Dawn LindblomChiefExecutiveOfficerCapital Region Chapter

Message from the CEO

RedCrossClubsareimportantbecausetheyhelpfulfilltheRedCross

mission in local communities, and help youth understand what the Red

Cross does locally, nationally, and globally.

Typically, Red Cross Clubs are developed within junior high, high

schools, and colleges, and although the clubs are student-run, club spon-

sors play a vital role in maintaining the club's momentum.

Lee Middle School Club Helps Save Lives

Under the guidance of school nurse Sue Horn, the Red Cross Club at

Lee Middle School in Woodland has been operating for the past three

years. The club was formed with the goal of putting on an event, Project

Safe, that teaches students what to do in an emergency until help arrives.

This year, all seventh grade students participated in Project Safe, learn-

ingfirstaidskillsfromstudentinstructors.

After participating in the event, an eighth grader from the school used

the abdominal thrust to save a friend, and another student rescued a

drowning child the day after the event. Both were recognized as local

heroes, receiving awards.

ClubmembersarenowplanningupcomingfirstaidandCPRtrainings

and plan to become hands-only CPR instructors.

Red Cross Clubs in Action

State School Club Sets Example

Founded in 2004, the Red Cross Club at University

of California, Davis has grown to 75 members with

three service components: general meetings, volun-

teer activities, and programs.

One popular club activity is the Time-Off for Caretak-

ers Program where members visit a local senior center

spending time playing board games, helping with arts

and crafts, and facilitating group exercises.

The club’s other projects include the Community

Disaster Education project, where members teach di-

saster preparedness to their peers, and the Service to

the Armed Forces pillowcase project, which decorates

pillowcases for local veterans.

Two Local Clubs Gain Momentum

Taking the lead from the successful clubs at Lee

Middle School and UC Davis, high school students

in Stockton and students at Sacramento State

University are also starting Red Cross Clubs on their

campuses.

Both clubs are currently running membership drives

to recruit new club members, and with 15 new mem-

bers already, the Stockton club is off to a great start!

The Sacramento State University Club, with 30 active

members, has started planning several activities

for the upcoming year, including the Future Project

R.I.D.E, which provides horseback rides for the dis-

abled, tutoring students at an elementary school, and

running a school supplies drive.

Participating in a Red Cross Club is a rewarding ex-

perience, giving students the chance to participate in

volunteer causes, develop leadership and social skills,

and gain community awareness.

For information about existing clubs, or to get a club

started, contact Quoc Tran at Quoc.Tran@redcross.

org.

Crossroads | SPRING 2012 3

Red Cross Clubs in Action

“With these projects, youth can understand what the American Red Cross does locally, nationally, and

globally.”

For more than 50 years, National Charity League, Inc.

(NCL) has thrived as one of the nation’s most distinc-

tive and well-respected mother-daughter membership

organizations. NCL’s mission is to foster the mother-

daughter relationship in a philanthropic organization

committed to community service, leadership develop-

ment and cultural experiences.

Locally, the Granite Bay Chapter supports 25 unique

charities, including the American Red Cross. One of

their recent projects to improve the community oc-

curred in January, when they held a pillowcase deco-

rating event. Members decorated pillowcases using

heart-warming graphics and positive expressions of

support for the American Red Cross Service to the

Armed Forces program.

For more information about the pillowcase project,

contact Samantha Clark at 916-993-7087 or

samantha.clark@redcross.org.

Crossroads | SPRING 20124

STAY CONNECTED Visit www.redcrosscrc.org or call 916-993-7070 for information on how to get involved.

IncREDible!The junior class at Rio Americano High School

in Sacramento decided to do something different this

yearwiththeirHomecomingfloat.Ledbyclasspresi-

dent, Sydney Selix, they used the parade as a platform

to raise awareness and money for the American Red

Cross.

“Instead of spending a large amount of money on

buildingabigHomecomingfloat,wespentlessmon-

ey, and donated the rest to the Red Cross,” Sydney

shared.Thefloat’sthemewasfromthemovieThe

Incredibles, but the students took a unique spin on it,

making it about how the Red Cross is “incredible!”

Never Too Late to Say Thank You

“We really admire all the work this organization does for those in need and are very happy to help in any way we can.”