National Safety Month
June is National Safety Month! In the United States, injuries account for over 150,000 deaths and over 3 million non-fatal injuries each year. Throughout this month, take the time to review safety tips and research how to change and avoid behaviors that may lead to harm. Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages, and as such, maintaining good safety practices is extremely important.
A couple of good safety tips are to always keep a first aid kit on hand and a list of emergency numbers nearby. You never know when disaster will strike and it’s best to be prepared. We encourage you to make and practice emergency drills with your family so that everyone is on the same page if something were to occur. Visit these sites for health and safety training education and information about preparedness.
World Blood Day
June 14 is recognized as World Blood Donor Day. Supplying over 40% of the nation’s blood supply, the American Red Cross is always in crucial need of more donations. Donating blood is a simple yet essential process for surgeries, cancer treatment and injuries, and a large majority of youth and young adults are eligible to donate. Do your part and make a blood donation appointment today at a center near you!
Pet Preparedness Month
June is Pet Preparedness month. By visiting the following link, learn how to create pet emergency plan, a pet emergency kit, as well as info on Pet First Aid. With the upcoming summer season, practice proper safety measures to protect your pet from the sun. By preparing for all possible scenarios, we can do our best to protect our furry friends!
Pride Month
- June is Pride Month. There are many resources out there to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community and how you can get involved. Join us for last December’s Cultural Competency Series to discuss the experiences and challenges of racial minorities in the LGBTQIA+ community. Discover what it means to dwell in the intersections and compounds of minority races and sexual orientation.
- Join the Red Cross’ Pride Resource Group in order to join a supportive environment to exchange information and ideas, fostering a better understanding of the unique issues facing LGBTQ+ people and allies, and offering opportunities to learn about, understand and engage the LGBTQ+ community.
- Watch Junes Cultural Competency video on Perspectives of Chance: a Decade After the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). Hear and observe how the repeal of DADT conversely provided a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military freely and with more authenticity than ever available before in history.
- View the Red Cross’ Brochure on Pride Resources. Learn about existing support infrastructure within the Red Cross and how you can join us in order to make our Diversity Stronger.
Volunteering Over the Summer
As the school year comes to a close, it often becomes especially difficult for many to continue volunteering. Nonetheless, the American Red Cross is in need of volunteers all year long, and your help is continually in demand and appreciated. Below are some ways you can continue volunteering during the summer.
- Hold a summer cookout with friends and family, while participating in the Taste of Diversity resource guide. During this event, fundraise by preparing popular dishes from cultures across the world in order to raise money for the Red Cross.
- Though many Red Cross Clubs pause their activities during the summer, you can continue by volunteering or interning at your local Red Cross chapter. Connect with the communities closest to you and provide help firsthand.
- Plan for the upcoming school year by starting, reorganizing or improving your school’s Red Cross Club. Have fun by leading your Club’s members and/or officers in bonding events. Completing escape rooms, going on hikes, rowing on waters, or even just getting food together ensures that each member feels comfortable and secure with one another, leading to the overall success of one’s Club. Teamwork makes the dream work!
- For those of you who recently graduated high school, take some time this summer to read the Red Cross transition guide as you continue volunteering in college. Regardless of where you may be, there are still many ways to stay involved with the Red Cross after high school. Congratulations, Class of 2022!
- Visit the American Red Cross Website in order to find local volunteer opportunities around you.
- Whatever activities you choose to participate in this summer, make sure you take proper precautions to stay safe this summer. Read the Red Cross Summer Safety Guide here and visit this link for tips on dealing with extreme heat. Have fun in the sun!
Disaster Season
- With wildfire and hurricane season stretching from June to October of each year, now is a great time to prepare and get ready for this upcoming disaster season.
- In the past few years, there have been record-setting wildfire seasons, which have caused 37 deaths and more than $19 billion in damages, and over eight million acres of land scorched. Wildfires are dangerous and spread quickly, giving you only minutes to evacuate. Protect your household and loved ones by visiting the following link to learn about the most essential preparation tips.
- Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over ocean water and often move toward land. These storms are dangerous and can cause damage even to places far inland. By preparing now, do what you can to ensure you and your family’s safety. Prepare by creating an emergency kit, staying aware of nearby evacuation shelters, and crossing off the Red Cross’ Hurricane Preparedness Checklist. A more detailed guide can be found by visiting this link.
- For those who wish to help, the Red Cross is currently in need of volunteers for the very busy upcoming disaster season. In order to meet our demand and provide help when and where it’s needed, the Red Cross needs to continue to increase our volunteer capacity. For more information on how you can get involved, please visit this link.
Other Ways to Stay Involved
- Youth and young adult volunteers play a critical role in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the Red Cross’s lines of service. The power of harnessing collective similarities and differences enables us to deliver the Red Cross mission in a sensitive and culturally competent manner. To that end, the National Youth Council is conducting a case study on DEI as it relates to youth involvement and would greatly appreciate it if you could take this survey. Doing so will allow us to gauge youth volunteer attitudes and awareness regarding DEI, allowing us to better inform future DEI projects and outreach strategies.
- Preparing ahead for the coming disaster season, provide aid to the American Red Cross by organizing a charity livestream fundraiser benefitting Disaster Relief. Disaster season lasts from June through November, and through your help, you ensure that the Red Cross is able to continue providing hot meals, snacks, water, shelter and emergency supplies to those in need. Get started today!
- Come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30, 2022, and be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP trip to Memphis and Graceland for two! This trip includes round-trip air fare for two to Memphis, a three-night stay at The Guest House at Graceland and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland, a $500 gift card for expenses, plus a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar! Regardless of if you win, all participants will be sent a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. For more info, please visit the following link.
