More than 120 volunteers gather to build comfort kits and sign cards for victims of disaster and members of the military.

WHAT:   Quicken Loans and American Red Cross Volunteer Event.  Quicken Loans team members will volunteer with the American Red Cross to help build comfort kits for victims of disaster and sign cards for members of the military.   The volunteer activity will help the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Region fulfill its mission.

WHO:      Quicken Loans Team Members and American Red Cross Volunteers and Leadership, including; American Red Cross, Nominating Committee Board Chair, Cindy Dion and Quicken Loans Vice President of Mortgage Banking in Detroit, Joel Gurman

WHY:      To help the community by building comfort kits for victims of disaster and signing cards for members of the military.

WHEN:   Friday, May 17, 2013    /    11 AM – 1 PM

WHERE: Cadillac Square, Downtown Detroit / the intersection of Woodward and Michigan Avenue, across from Campus Martius

Key Facts

American Red Cross Emergency Services

The American Red Cross plays a key role during crisis situations, providing a network of emergency response services. Everyday your local Red Cross responds to an average of five home fires and other disasters a day in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe and St. Clair counties, providing needed services to distressed families.

With the help of people, like you who volunteer, and contribute financially, we provide immediate emergency relief following disasters in the form of:

• Emergency food, clothing, temporary shelter and personal care items to disaster victims as needed.
• Facilitate inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area
• Referrals to out resources for long-term needs

American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces

The American Red Cross was founded to aid fallen soldiers on the battlefield. Today this effort

continues through Red Cross services for military families. In times of emergencies, the Red Cross keeps people in touch with loved ones serving in the United States Military.

• Service to the Military is made up of a network of Armed Forces Emergency Centers, more than 800 Red Cross Chapters nationwide and offices on 100 military institutions around the world.
• The Red Cross provides a trained compassionate staff to assist you in times of emergency as well as brief military personnel and family members on Red Cross services when troops are deployed.
• The Red Cross emergency communication services reach United States military installations, embassies and ships at sea around the world.

Quicken Loans Community Involvement

Quicken Loans Community Relations Team helps coordinate the company’s support of 250 non-profits and charitable organizations throughout Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, California and Arizona communities.  Last year Quicken Loans donated more than $7 million to these organizations and the team members volunteered more than 10,000 hours.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About Quicken Loans:

Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc. is the nation’s largest online home lender and the country’s third largest retail home mortgage lender. The company closed a record $70 billion of volume across all 50 states in 2012. Quicken Loans generates loan production from web centers located in Detroit, Cleveland and Scottsdale, Arizona. The company also operates a centralized loan processing facility in Detroit, as well as its San Diego-based One Reverse Mortgage unit. Quicken Loans ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all home mortgage lenders in the United States by J.D. Power and Associates in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

 Quicken Loans also ranked among the top-30 companies on FORTUNE Magazine’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the last 10 consecutive years. It ranked in the top-15 of Computerworld magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work In Technology” for the past eight years, ranking in the top-5 in 2012. The company recently moved its headquarters and more than 8,000 of its nearly 10,000 team members to downtown Detroit. For more information about Quicken Loans, please visit quickenloans.com, on Twitter at @QLnews, and on Facebook at facebook.com/QuickenLoans.

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This week marks volunteer appreciation week nationwide and here at the American Red Cross, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce some of our amazing volunteers!

Bonnie has been with the American Red Cross almost 6 years!

Bonnie is the co-supervisor for the interns placed at the American Red Cross. She assists in the initial interviews and orientation for the interns and new volunteers. Bonnie also volunteers for various American Red Cross fundraising events such as Ride for the Red, and Arts Beats and Eats, throughout the year.

Bonnie’s favorite part of volunteering is working and interacting with various volunteers and staff that are present at the American Red Cross. She mentions how everyone is always so warm and welcoming and really likes to think that the work she does contributes to the greater good in the community.  

While many of our volunteers get involved in other opportunities outside the Red Cross, Bonnie does not volunteer for any other organization and in fact, restricts her efforts solely to the American Red Cross. She likes that the American Red Cross is a national organization so in case she moves or is relocated,  she will be able to find another local chapter to volunteer with.  Bonnie enjoys that the Red Cross offers so many different areas and departments that need volunteers. It allows options that volunteers can move into so you can spread your efforts over a wide array of departments, such as working with the Armed Forces or Disaster Relief.

Prior to volunteering, Bonnie spent her days working as a social worker. Now retired, when she is not spending her time at the American Red Cross she is traveling around the world. Bonnie has been to places such as China, Rome, Turkey and Greece, along with taking many tours around the United States. Of course, when she is home she is found spending time with her family and friends.

Our next volunteer we are going to spotlight is Bernie and he has been with the Red Cross for just about 7 years.

Bernie began his volunteer experience by  working with the Disaster Action Team (DAT)  in the beginning and also was the publicity photographer. Bernie found that the hours of DAT were difficult to get use to and so he focused his time and talent as the photographer for the American Red Cross. He currently goes to events that the Red Cross hosts and takes photographs of the volunteers, event and anything else they need.

Bernie really found that the people are what is enjoys the most. “The people and their attitudes are what is great. They are always very upbeat and always have the same goal which is to help people”.  He finds that the attitudes of the people really encompasses everything that the American Red Cross stands for, from helping those affected by a disaster, to assisting those in the military, blood services, and fundraising is such a major aspect of the Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter

Prior to volunteering at the American Red Cross, Bernie was a teacher for 32 years. He now works part-time at Wayne State University as a student teacher supervisor. He plans on getting involved with Meals on Wheels in the coming months. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and planting flowers and vegetables and of course, in the summer he loves to kayak and bike ride.

Thank you to Bernie and Bonnie for your hard work and dedication! Let’s give all our volunteers a round of applause!

Written by:  Katherine Kneen, Communications Intern.

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The American Red Cross is providing help such as shelter, food, water and comfort to people affected by severe flooding in this part of the country while continuing to respond to the explosion in Texas and the Boston marathon bombing.

Many people spent the  night in Red Cross and community shelters in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin where flooding has caused heavy damage. Thousands are without power and homes and roadways flooded after heavy rainfall in the region. The Red Cross has additional volunteers, shelters and supplies on standby to support people forced from their homes by flood waters and we will be providing help for days to come.

SEM Region
• One volunteer and one staff member have been deployed to the West Michigan Region from the Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter to assist with Shelter Operations and Mobile Feeding in and around the Grand Rapids area.

Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter
• The Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter has deployed three volunteers to the Chicago area to assist with relief in the area of Health Services, Mental Health Services and Bulk Distribution.

West Michigan Region
• The West Michigan Region has been greatly impacted by rain and floodwater last week and this week. The Red Cross has opened direct distribution sites and workers have helped dozens of families by providing hygiene kits and clean-up kits.
• Relief supplies can be picked up at one of the 6 distribution shelters/sites in the West Michigan area, where licensed mental health workers are on hand to provide counseling and First Aid stations are also available.
The West Michigan Region has distributed:
57 clean-up kits
Provided shelter for more than 65 people
Served nearly 500 meals and snacks

North Central Region
• The Saginaw area was impacted by rain and floodwaters last week into this weekend, where shelters were open in Saginaw. Those shelters have now been closed but bulk distribution continues though the Saginaw area.
“We are responding to the devastating flooding in this part of the country where flood waters have inundated communities across several states,” said La Forice Nealy, Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Region. “Meanwhile we are still helping people affected by the tragic events in Boston and Texas and will continue to help those in need.”
BOSTON, TEXAS Meanwhile, in Boston, the Red Cross is providing food, water and comfort to people including first responders and those being evacuated during the situation there today. More than 200 Red Cross Disaster workers have served more than 10,000 meals and snacks, handed out hundreds of relief items like blankets and comfort kits and provided hundreds of mental health and health services to those in need. Red Cross Blood Services has provided about 550 blood products to several hospitals in the Boston area. In West, Texas, Red Cross disaster workers are providing emotional support, health services and distributing relief items to those affected by the explosion. Red Cross Blood Services has shipped 175 blood products to hospitals in the region.
HOW TO HELP The Red Cross is helping people across a large region of the country affected by these disasters. If someone would like to help they can donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Those who want to make a donation to directly support the Boston Marathon bombing victims can visit http://www.onefundboston.org.

Right now the Red Cross has enough blood on hand to help patients in Texas and Boston. However, patients need blood every day and those who are eligible are strongly encouraged to schedule a donation appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting http://www.redcrossblood.org.

STEPS TO HELP COPE This has been a difficult week for people all across the country with horrifying events, dramatic and emotional news reports and severe weather happening across the country. In these times, it’s important for people to connect with and support each other and do something that makes them feel prepared for future disasters.
The Red Cross has information people can use to cope in the aftermath of these tragedies. For free counseling or support which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, people can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
Getting oneself and one’s loved ones more prepared for disasters can bring peace of mind. Taking an action like downloading the Red Cross first aid app, taking a first aid class or building a disaster supply kit can help someone feel empowered to face future emergencies.

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Severe Weather Threat in the Southeast Michigan Area

Red Cross Issues Safety Information

 Severe Weather is threatening the Southeast Michigan area today. A tornado watch has been issued for all of Southeast Michigan.

 The Red Cross recommends for severe thunderstorms, make sure to learn about your local community’s emergency warning and alert system.  Discuss thunderstorm safety with all members of your household so everyone knows what to do when a storm hits and pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hail.

If a tornado is possible make sure you know the difference between a tornado watch and warning.

• A Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area so be ready to take cover if a warning is issued. 
• A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take cover immediately!

To always have up to date severe weather and tornado information, download the free official Tornado App from the American Red Cross. All you need to know to prepare for a tornado in the palm of your hand! You can download the app directly from iTunes and Google Play app stores or click on the link for more detailed information. http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/tornado-app

It’s important to take the appropriate steps to be prepared so during any storm, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about watches and warnings. Make sure you are aware of your community alert and warning system and make sure you pick a safe room where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. Make sure the room is on the lowest floor with no windows such as a basement, or storm cellar.

.Don’t forget with severe weather comes heavy downpours and flooding. Make sure to listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress. If a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there. Don’t try and drive through a flooded road, turn around and go another way. Keep children out of the water, it can be filled with debris or contaminated and finally, make sure your just as cautious at night as you would be during the day, flooding and flash floods can happen at any moment.

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Here comes the rain again. This weeks forecast for the Southeast Michigan area shows, rain, rain and more rain. April showers bring May flowers but they also bring flooding to the area and the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Region wants you to be prepared.

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause flood include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturate the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

You will likely hear weather forecasters use these terms when floods are predicted in your community:
• Flood/Flash Flood Watch-Flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.
• Flood/Flash Flood Warning-Flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Responding Appropriately During a Flood
• It is important to listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other information from the National Weather Service.
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it is important to have protection from the floods associated with heavy rains and other conditions that impact the area. Visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at http://www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

Tips to Stay Safe after a Flood
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater
• Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and runner boots.
• Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Contact your local or state public health department to see if your water supply might be contaminated. You may need to boil or treat it before use. Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.

For more information on how to clean up after a flood, you can download the “Repairing your Flooded Home” booklet, found on redcross.org or

http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340135_file_cont333_lang0_150.pdf

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