Polk Red Cross blog moving to MidFlRedCross.WordPress.com

Good morning, Everyone.

In two weeks, after Sept 21, Polk Red Cross will no longer maintain a blog on WordPress and won’t have an account through Twitter.

Instead, we will keep people informed and updated on American Red Cross activities through the Regional blog at http://MidFlRedCross.WordPress.com and through the Mid-Florida Region’s Twitter page at www.twitter.com/MidFlaRedCross.

Start checking out our updates on the new blog as soon as you can.  Your comments are always welcome.

Thanks from your American Red Cross!

Red Cross helps elderly man after home destroyed

On Saturday afternoon, Aug. 29, 2009, American Red Cross volunteers went to Avon Park to help a 72-year-old man after fire destroyed his apartment.

Volunteers arrived just before 6 p.m. on South Verona Avenue, and met with the man, as well as with Avon Park Deputy Mayor Brenda Gray, who was also at the scene.

The Red Cross provided him with temporary shelter; a comfort kit (personal hygiene supplies); and emergency assistance for clothing, shoes, and groceries.

Even though the Red Cross gets a lot of attention for large disasters such as hurricanes, small disasters are still our most common ones, especially home fires — more often than any other disaster.

Please learn to prevent fire from your local Red Cross in Highlands County by phone at (863) 386-4440, by e-mail at redcross@vistanet.net, or visit the Mid-Florida Region web site at www.midfloridaredcross.org.

Duplex fire displaces two families, but Red Cross is there to help

In Lakeland, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, a fire in a duplex destroyed one apartment, damaged the other, and displaced both families.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter were there to help, though. They arrived at 4:30 p.m. at the apartments on North Brunnell Parkway. One family needed temporary shelter, landlord verification forms to help in relocation, emergency assistance for groceries and clothing, and other assistance. The other family was staying with close relatives, and only suffered smoke and water damage. They got assistance for groceries and supplies to help clean up their home.

Both families got comfort kits – personal hygiene supplies – to help make their time away from home a bit more comfortable.

You can prevent fire or your losses from fire by following some safety and preparedness steps. For more information, call the Polk County Chapter at (863) 294-5941 and visit the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region web site at www.midfloridaredcross.org.

Toll-free number helps Floridians with flu questions

Hey, Everyone.

The Florida Department of Health has opened a toll-free number to provide public health information and updates on H1N1 (Swine) flu: 877-352-3581.

The information line is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Eastern, 7 days a week, and is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
It just started this Monday, August 24, 2009.

Other general disease prevention information is on our website at http://www.midfloridaredcross.org

Highlands Red Cross gives water, information at ‘Run for the Fallen’

SEBRING, FL (Aug. 22, 2009) — On Saturday, Aug. 22, people came out to honor fallen soldiers at “Run for the Fallen,” a veterans’ benefit foot race helpd at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring.

The event was held to benefit the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

During the event, volunteers with the Highlands County Red Cross gave out bottled water and cups of water to about 127 people along with Health & Safety, Disaster and Hurricane Preparedness information. Volunteer Vicki Jarvis, Board Member and Events Coordinator with the Highlands Red Cross office, said everyone had a great time, and there was information available about the Red Cross’ Service to armed Forces program as well.

Red Cross helps Haines City family after home fire

HAINES CITY, FL (Aug. 21, 2009) – Red Cross volunteers helped a family of four in Haines City Thursday after their home caught fire.

The family – two adults, a child and an infant – is planning to stay with relatives. Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter arrived at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the site on Maple Hill Drive. They provided the family with emergency assistance for groceries and infant supplies, comfort kits (personal hygiene supplies), diapers for the baby, odor-control concentrated cleaner to help salvage items from the home, and stuffed animal toys to comfort the children.

Learn to prevent home fires. Call the Polk County Chapter at (863) 294-5941, or visit the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region web site at www.midfloridaredcross.org.

Red Cross helps Eagle Lake woman after home fire

EAGLE LAKE, FL (Aug. 21, 2009) – Red Cross volunteers drove out Thursday morning to help a woman in Eagle Lake displaced by a home fire.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter arrived at 9:50 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at a home on Eagle Lake Loop Road. The woman is staying with family and working with the landlord to get another residence.

The Red Cross has provided her with a comfort kit (personal hygiene supplies), emergency assistance for groceries and clothing, odor-control concentrated cleaner to help salvage items from the home, and a Mickey Mouse stuffed toy to comfort her.

Learn to prevent fire from the Polk County Chapter at (863) 294-5941, or visit the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region web site at www.midfloridaredcross.org.

Red Cross helps Bartow couple after home fire

BARTOW, FL (Aug. 20, 2009) – On Thursday night, Red Cross volunteers helped a couple in Bartow after they were displaced by a home fire.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter arrived at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the home on Forrest Drive in Bartow. They were able to provide the two adults with temporary shelter, emergency assistance for groceries and clothing, and comfort kits (personal hygiene supplies).

Learn to prevent fire from the Polk County Chapter at (863) 294-5941, visit the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region web site at www.midfloridaredcross.org.