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ROBIN ERICKSON Director of Communications
PHONE (401) 831-7700 x101 E-MAIL [email protected]
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Wednesday, March 12, 2003 Red Cross to be Recognized By Governor Carcieri
on Thursday -- Agency to Highlight Preparedness Efforts
March is American Red Cross Month across the country and the Rhode Island Red Cross will be
honored Thursday morning, March 13, 2003 at 10am in a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. Governor Don Caricieri, Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Adjutant General Reginald
Centracchio will recognize Red Cross CEO Barbara McGann and local Red Cross volunteers for their work in assisting Rhode Island in need.
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Gov. Donald Carcieri
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Adm. Barbara McGann and
members of the American Red Cross of Rhode Island Board of Directors
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Adm. McGann & Mrs. Carcieri
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Following The Station nightclub fire, over 450 Red Cross volunteers worked around-the-clock at the Red Cross Family
Service Center at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Red Cross volunteers assisted families in filling out paperwork to identify their missing loved ones, provided crisis mental health counseling and served more
than 7,000 meals.
The Red Cross will also highlight new initiatives in helping Rhode Islanders prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies:
- Together We Prepare: This new public awareness campaign focuses on five important steps to preparing for disaster: make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood. These five actions can help us to protect ourselves and our loved ones
whether we face house fires, hurricanes, or other disasters. For more information on "Together We Prepare," visit the Red Cross website at www.riredcross.org or call the Red Cross at 401.831.7700 to have a
brochure mailed to your home.
- "Red Cross Day" at the Warwick Mall: This Saturday, March 15, 2003 from 12pm-4pm, the Red Cross will be offering demonstrations of CPR and First Aid, tips on preparing for disasters and recruiting volunteers. In addition,
CVS/pharmacy has donated toiletries for "comfort kits" to be distributed to local troops who are deployed as well as fire victims. Children are invited to come and help assemble the kits and write
personal notes to the soldiers and fire victims who will receive the supplies.
- Community Disaster Training: The American Red Cross is working with
local emergency managers to train citizens in every Rhode Island city and town to respond to a disaster. The training is offered free of charge.
Courses focus on operating a shelter, mass distribution of food and other supplies in an emergency, first aid and CPR, and more. Over 20 communities in
Rhode Island have begun the training with over 230 participants. Contact your local Emergency Manager for more information or the Red Cross at 401.831.7700.
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