Spook-tacular Safety Tips for Halloween

Written by: Ramsha Asad, Volunteer

When the winds get cooler and the trees shed leaves then we know that autumn has arrived! People of all ages enjoy preparing for the last day of October, a.k.a. HALLOWEEN! Whether it’s trick-or-treating, hosting spooky parties, attending scary events or making creative costumes, many people are amused by this annual celebration.

However, with all the fun and entertainment of Halloween, it’s still possible to encounter a disaster. A friend of mine who dressed up as Batman unfortunately drank too much and disappeared during a party. None of us could trace him and he ended up waking up in a hotel lobby the next morning! This may sound funny but he was actually very lucky to be safe. Things could have been a lot worse if somebody tried to take advantage of his condition.

Therefore, it is very important to be safe at any celebration, including Halloween. Here are a few Red Cross safety tips so that you can have fun while feeling secure:

• Parents should make sure children can walk around safely in their costumes and costumes should also be flame resistant to avoid fire hazards.
• Younger children should not be left alone on their own. An adult should accompany them and be familiar with the exact route.
• People should only visit well-lit homes and never go inside.
• Parents should teach children not to eat their candy right away; parents should first check for brand names and the ingredients, especially if the child is allergic to something.
• Adults should be careful driving through neighborhoods since children could be crossing roads without carefully looking around.
• Download Red Cross First Aid App for expert advice on everyday emergencies. The content is available in both English and Spanish.

Be safe and be spooky!

Usha and Dev: How Two High School Students are Making a Difference with the Red Cross

Written by: Stacy Ndlovu, volunteer

School might be out, but Usha and Dev are hard at work, kick-starting the School Without Walls’ Red Cross Club. Because of their passion for humanitarian work, these high school students decided to partner with the American Red Cross’ Executive Director Jessica Adams to launch a club at their high school with the goal of getting more young people involved in contributing to positive action in their communities.

“We felt it was important to educate and involve our peers because the more people who are aware of the Red Cross, the more people will be inspired to make a difference,” said Dev.

Although they are in the early stages of building, the duo has already gained valuable experience in leadership, project management and teamwork. “It has been an exciting and rewarding process, but it hasn’t all been easy,” recounts Usha.

The Red Cross Club within the School Without Walls officially opened in June after many long hours of hard work and determination, which involved writing a club constitution that mirrored the values and the mission of the Red Cross. Usha and Dev found it challenging to work with different students; finding a balance between different personalities and getting them all to work together towards a common goal. However, they clearly figured it out because in less than a month, the club already has 20 members!

The School Without Walls’ Red Cross Club has already successfully raised money through bake sales, a raffle, and donated to the National Capital Region. Usha and Dev are currently working on developing their club website, but in the meantime, you can follow their work on their Instagram page @SWWRedCross. 

Want to keep up with National Red Cross youth initiatives? Visit RedCrossYouth.org.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Prabhleen Batra, President of the Paint Branch High School Red Cross Club

Written by: Melanie Benson, volunteer

“Seva,” Prabhleen Batra tells me, “means selfless service.”  Prabhleen has practiced Seva, a foundational principle of Sikhism that encourages service without any personal benefit or reward, throughout her life.  She has a long history of volunteerism through community activities with her temple and serving at a local soup kitchen with her mother.  Adhering to this personal passion, it made sense that three years ago as a freshman at Paint Branch High School, MD, Prabhleen immersed herself fully in the school’s Red Cross club.

Today, amid a full schedule of other activities (Model UN, SGA, and honor societies), Prabhleen, now a junior, serves as club president.  What many may not know, however, is that Prabhleen is far more than the club’s leader - she is the reason that the club still exists.  During her sophomore year, Paint Branch’s Red Cross club struggled.  The club lacked direction and faced a bigger challenge when its faculty sponsor stepped down.  Recognizing the value of the club’s work, Prabhleen took action to preserve the Red Cross club.  She found a new sponsor, Ms. Weiss, a Spanish teacher, and rallied to convince her friends to join in club activities.

Today, Prabhleen’s leadership is supported by a vice president, community lead and secretary.  The revamped Red Cross club has 20 regular members who meet twice each month.  The club’s members work together to recommend activities of interest, such as repeated favorites including bake sales, preparing and sharing kit drives and making cards for heroes.  Currently, Paint Branch’s club is working on two larger community events, a blood drive, to be hosted around the beginning of summer, and a Fire Safety Canvassing Day in collaboration with the nearby Burtonsville Fire Department.

Reflecting on the progress the once struggling club has made, Prabhleen points to Ms. Karine Sewell’s visit to the school’s club as an inflection point and an activity that profoundly motivated club members. Ms. Sewell, the Red Cross Executive Director for Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, visited the Red Cross members at Paint Branch to share stories of other school clubs and to offer activity ideas and support.  Ms. Sewell’s visit inspired the Paint Branch club with the impact of other clubs in the community and motivated them to add their own positive mark on their neighborhood.

Prabhleen urges other schools in the area to get involved with the Red Cross.  She recognizes that alternatives for community service exist through various honor societies, but highlights that the Red Cross has unique activities that make club diversity valuable.

Next year, Prabhleen will enter her last year at Paint Branch.  While she excitedly explores what will come next, she has already begun to take steps to ensure that the Red Cross club will continue to flourish for other students to enjoy.  Working as a mentor with current freshmen, Prabhleen is certain that the club will continue to do good even after her graduation.  She offers this wisdom to the underclassmen, "If each person does their part and gives a little back to the community, the lives of those less fortunate will be transformed.”

Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

Written by: Divya Soni

Does your family know what to do during a disaster? Has the recent flooding and wildfires across the country made you wonder, “What if something like this happened where I live”?

Disasters such as earthquakes, storms, floods and wildfires happen quickly and unexpectedly, but you can easily learn how to prepare for natural and man-made emergencies. National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity to call a family meeting and make an emergency plan. 

8 steps to get started:

1. Know important home, work and cell phone numbers.
2. Pick the same person for each family member to contact, possibly someone who’s out of town.
3. Select meeting spots in and out of your neighborhood.
4. Identify responsibilities for each family member.
5. Know the exits and draw a floor plan to find ways out of every room in your house.
6. Discuss how to respond to emergencies that are most likely to occur where you live and work.
7. Practice evacuating your home twice a year and drive alternate routes.
8. Prepare your pets too! Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

Make sure everyone in your family knows what do to!

Youth preparedness helps children and young adults become better prepared for different disasters. Make a kid-friendly plan and have kids practice what they’ve learned with the Monster Guard app.

Older adults can also benefit from knowing how to text/post messages for emergencies. Since local phone lines might be out of service or overloaded, it may be easier to get through by texting. Make sure your parents and grandparents have a secure digital copy of their insurance information.

All of the tips above are just a start! Check out more tips at RedCross.org/Prepare. Remember, disasters are unpredictable, but the most important thing you can do for your family and friends is to be prepared for them!

Freshmen 15? The flu? Blizzards? Don’t worry, we've got you covered!

Written by: Harsha Jha, volunteer

The time has come for all new university freshmen to say goodbye to their childhood bedrooms and head off to their dorms. The parents are probably trying to keep it together as their child is shopping for bedding, supplies, and the much-needed mini fridge; but deep inside they just want to hold on and never let go of their kid. So hey parents and college freshmen, as you prepare to start this new part of your life, here are some tips from the American Red Cross.

1. Have a fully stocked First Aid Kit. You will get sick in college and without mom and dad, there will be no one to get you medicine. So keep a first aid kit for all those small emergencies. Not sure what to take? Check out the one at the Red Cross Store!
2. Know your new environment. Is your college in a hurricane prone area? Or prone to flooding, tornadoes or blizzards? Know what kind of climate to prepare for and make sure you have the proper clothing and items. We highly recommend having the Emergency app downloaded to keep you prepared. Here is a list of all the apps available to keep you safe.
3. Seek help. If you are feeling very sick or just under the weather, know where the health center is on your campus. Also, remember to write down any medications you are allergic to, your insurance company, etc.
4. Eat healthy. There is going to be a lot of good food around, but try your hardest to stay fit too. Free gym? Try to go 2-3 times a week. Keep healthy snacks in your dorm for all those midnight snacks during finals week and most importantly, eat breakfast!
5. Be prepared to help peers. There will be many students who will not be ready for the new lifestyle, so why not be the hero on campus? Teach them about emergency preparedness or maybe even learn CPR or take a first aid class. College is all about trying new things, so why not start now? Check out some American Red Cross classes to get started.
6. Call your parents. In the moment, you will be so busy with welcome week, new friends and new classes, but remember at the end of the day to just send mom and dad a text or call them. It brightens their day and trust me it will have you feeling better too.

College is all about limitless opportunities; so don’t be afraid to seize them. With all of these tips, you are prepared to start your new life in at a college or university! Good luck from the American Red Cross!

My Red Cross VolunTeens Story: Valerie Myers and Annabel Lee

Written by: Valerie Myers and Annabel Lee, VolunTeens


This summer at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda, MD more than 50 high school students participated in the American Red Cross VolunTeen Program. The students received hands-on experience to learn what it’s like to be in a hospital setting and work in a Military Treatment Facility by engaging with patients, soldiers and other Red Cross volunteers. The competitive application process for the program began in the spring when high school students submitted a teacher’s recommendation and essays regarding their interest in the medical field, challenges they have faced in the past and relevant volunteering experiences. Just over 50 students were chosen to participate in the six week program that included a new educational component each week, called Medical Awareness for Teens. 


Students were assigned to departments such as Audiology, Dermatology, Hematology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics. Besides answering phone calls and organizing files for the staff, the students supported doctors, nurses and technicians, and even observed medical procedures and processes depending on their department. Some students were also assigned to the Red Cross office, where they helped other Red Cross volunteers deliver coffee, snacks and toys for the patients and families receiving care at Walter Reed.

“I’ve really liked it so far,” said Alyssa Yu, teen volunteer in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology department. “I think it’s a really cool experience. It’s different from other things that I would otherwise do because of my age. Before coming here, I wasn’t that into the medical field. To be honest, I thought it was cool instead of doing camp counseling or something, but now that I’m here, especially with Medical Awareness for Teens, I’m actually a lot more interested in it. Surgery seems really fun … And I really like the new research that they [the doctors] are showing.”

With the help of some amazing staff at Walter Reed, the Red Cross was able to include an educational component called Medical Awareness for Teens (M.A.T). The educational events created opportunities to learn in an interactive way and take a closer look at a few departments within the Military Treatment Facility.

The MAT Program was divided into five parts over the summer: Common Medical Diagnosis, Amputee Clinic, Radiation Oncology/Radiology, Simulation Center, and Occupational Therapy. In these briefings students had the opportunity to hold plasticized body parts while learning about common medical diagnoses and even got to touch a real brain! They were able to operate the CAREN system, an immersive virtual reality system...basically an interactive video game used to train for balance and skills. They were also taught basic suturing skills and were able to practice these skills in the Simulation Center.

“[MAT] brings much more hands-on experience than what my actual job entails,” senior Tristan Hanlin said.

Through the work in their departments and MAT, the VolunTeens were able to get an idea of what the medical field entails and what they could possibly pursue in the future. Not only will they have earned hours for their student service learning this summer, but they also gained an invaluable experience that can be applied in future careers.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Sara El Saied

By Emily Goff

Within Sara El Saied, a spirit of profound selflessness glows, receiving its life from the most enriching fuel of all: volunteerism. More specifically, this admirable woman contributes her time, energy and skills to the Red Cross as a faithful volunteer and cherishes the extensive variety of experiences she has collected throughout her time thus far. Sara has been volunteering with the Red Cross since April 2015 and embodies what one ought to do in order to transform our society and world into a better place.

What kindled Sara’s linkage to the Red Cross was a friend’s recommendation, as well as a substantial amount of personal appreciation for the organization’s fundamental pillars. In fact, she informed me, “I was inspired to become involved with the American Red Cross because of the mission. To me, I have felt that there is tremendous value in being a volunteer because of my core belief in serving others. I felt pulled by this organization of volunteers who are committed so strongly to saving lives and ending human suffering around the world.”

In terms of her experiences as a volunteer for the Red Cross, Sara has been involved, and continues to be involved, with numerous crucial efforts.  She stated, “I served as the Volunteer Recruitment lead for the Salute to Service Gala, where I supported Volunteer Engagement with recruitment and orientation for the Gala. Currently, I am one of the Community Volunteer Leaders for Fairfax County and Youth Lead. I manage the recruitment/on-boarding of new high school or college/university clubs and support the logistics of their activities throughout the year. I also work with the Denise Miller, Executive Director of Fairfax County, to plan and execute quarterly meetings for all clubs. I work with her to support local fundraising events such as our In the Bag purse auction event, as well as work with local fire departments on the Home Fire Campaign.” There is seemingly no end to her compassion, dependability, and her generosity to the Red Cross.

The humanitarian spirit of Sara has been shaped by countless experiences, with one in particular that still lingers in her mind with perfect clarity, even months after its occurrence. Sara recalls, “The one profound moment that still stays with me is when I heard the story that Erwin [The Executive Director for Price William and Loudoun Counties] shared with the youth at our kick-off event about a woman who saved her husband's life because she performed CPR. The procedure she applied was the one that was taught by a class she had taken with the Red Cross. The strength of that woman speaking to a 9-1-1 operator while performing CPR – and especially after hearing that the ambulance first arrived at the wrong house – is absolutely remarkable.” Such a story certainly motivates and empowers Sara to help others through the Red Cross.

Sara’s story shares a critical truth we all should tuck into our pockets and invite to guide our actions as citizens, as aspiring volunteers, as current volunteers, as leaders and as humans: lives are fragile and we must always strive to preserve them, however minute our individual efforts towards such a large-scale goal may seem to be. As Sara voiced herself, “A pint of blood can save a life, taking a CPR class can save a life, informing your community about fire safety can save life – the list goes on and on.”

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Daphne Osei

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Daphne Osei 

By Tonia Callender

After earning her college degree, Daphne Osei decided to take some time off from her studies to make a positive difference in her community. Over fifteen months ago, she visited her local Red Cross in Montgomery County, Maryland to see how she could help. The local Youth Team needed some assistance, and Daphne stepped in as an Adult Advisor for the group.

As an adult advisor, Daphne works with about a dozen high school students who plan and implement a variety of service projects in Montgomery County. This past February, the group even sent valentine messages to local veterans. Daphne finds that as a young college graduate she can better relate to the teens and more easily connect with them. Daphne acts as a mentor, giving team members advice and information that they can pass on to their friends. She believes that the key to her youth team’s success has been allowing the teens to have control. “We let them set their own goals and help them to achieve them,” she said.

In addition to advising the Youth Team, Daphne works as a trainer, teaching about fire prevention. She also helps to promote the Red Cross by volunteering at information tables. Daphne enjoys meeting with people in the community and providing them with advice and assistance because, she says, “The people we meet give us wonderful feedback and let us know how much they appreciate our help.”  

For Daphne, volunteering with the Red Cross has been both an educational and very enjoyable experience. Working with others has allowed Daphne to further develop her own teaching and training styles. She has also become very knowledgeable about fire safety and how to survive disasters. Daphne finds that Red Cross volunteers are easy to connect with. “We work together so well, even if we have never met before,” she said.

Daphne loves to promote the Red Cross. She always reaches out to others in her community and encourages them to volunteer with the organization. For her, one of the more rewarding aspects of working with the Red Cross is that you can learn something new and then share the knowledge you have acquired with others. Knowing that she is helping people learn how to survive a disaster or other emergency gives Daphne a great sense of satisfaction and pride. 

My Volunteer Appreciation Week Story: Emily Goff

During National Volunteer Week, the American Red Cross is celebrating its hundreds of thousands of volunteers who help fulfill the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering during emergencies. These volunteers fulfill a wide variety of roles, and here is one of their stories.

Written by: Emily Goff, volunteer

Last year when I was a sophomore in high school, I joined the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. I was excited by an opportunity that allowed me to give back while doing one of my favorite things, writing. As a volunteer with the Communications team, I interview local Red Cross supporters to help share their stories and experiences. These people volunteer at Fort Belvoir, teach lifesaving skills, respond to house fires in the middle of the night and so much more. After speaking with them I write articles to be used on blogs, on social media and in press releases to promote the great work being done by our thousands of regional volunteers.

What continues to be the most striking and humbling part of my role is the fact that I get to learn so much about my fellow volunteers. I've realized that people sound most natural when they’re speaking about their volunteer roles. I have found this to be true regardless of the role. That is why I’m consistently inspired and driven to keep giving back.

In the future, my goal is to become a newspaper journalist with the hope that I can capture both the struggles and the joys of humanity through words. Therefore, my current volunteer work is allowing me to enhance the writing skills that are necessary for such work. I feel truly grateful that I've been able to align with such a fantastic organization, and I definitely plan to continue volunteering as a writer.

Join me!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER Red Cross volunteers give their time to help their community. Sign up today to join their ranks and be part of the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. There are many ways you can get involved. Go to redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.

Volunteer Profile - Varsha Kakaraparti

Written by: Tonia Callender, volunteer

Varsha Kakaraparti, winner of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, says that volunteering with her local Red Cross team has become “second nature”.    For the last 5 years, she has coordinated the Red Cross blood drives for Loudoun County, Virginia.  Her recent award recognized her exemplary effort, impact and initiative.

When Varsha was in seventh grade, her uncle was hospitalized with Leukemia.  Varsha, her elder sister and mother spent a lot of time with him in the hospital.  There, Varsha and her family saw first hand, the importance of blood donations.  Wanting to give back to the community, Varsha’s mother took her daughters to volunteer at the local Red Cross office. Varsha recalls this first visit to the Red Cross in Loudoun.  “When we walked in, the people were really nice and welcoming.”  They needed assistance with blood drives.  So, Varsha and her sister began managing blood drive scheduling and marketing for their area. Now that Varsha’s sister is away at college, the High School Junior handles everything on her own.   Varsha currently manages communication with local libraries, organizes blood drives, and produces marketing materials.

Although she has volunteered with other organizations, Varsha realized early on that she most enjoyed working with the Red Cross.  Managing the blood drives has sparked an interest in the medical field and also in marketing and graphic design.  Despite being a busy High School Student, Varsha continues to make volunteering a priority: “One of the things I like most about working with the Red Cross is the staff.  They are kind and approachable and very easy to work with.”   Varsha’s dedication and initiative have helped her local Red Cross to provide life-saving blood to those who need it.   For Varsha, “Volunteering for the Red Cross and working with blood drives is very rewarding, because I know that I am helping someone and indirectly saving lives.”

Learn about how you can make a difference. Visit RedCross.org/Volunteer

Volunteer Profile - Tucker Allard

Youth Team Adviser Volunteer

Written by: Tucker Allard, volunteer

About a year and a half ago I realized that I wanted to make a difference in my community. I explored different organizations but always found myself drawn to the American Red Cross. In college, I saw numerous blood drives held every year and met friendly and informative Red Cross volunteers. These are just two reasons why I am interested in this organization and its mission.

I joined the Red Cross as a Montgomery County Youth Team Adviser, and so far my experience in this position has been everything I could have hoped for and more! For those unfamiliar with what Youth Team Advisers do, let me explain. Together with the other advisers, I lead a small Red Cross team in Montgomery County that consists of teenagers ranging anywhere from middle to high school. We meet a few times each month to discuss how we can spread awareness about Red Cross related issues. We also help those affected by recent disasters and reflect on past events. One of our most recent group activities involved making holiday cards for heroes who are fighting overseas and may not get to see their families during the holidays. The advisers and I assist the youth members with almost anything they may need. If the youth need supplies or have questions, then we serve as the intermediary to retrieve what it is they need. If they have any problems, they come to us for a solution. Advisers serve the team to guide meetings and supply ideas for activities based on the theme for the month.

My time with the Red Cross has been very rewarding thanks to all the amazing and generous people I have met through this organization. I enjoy working with the members in my group and the other advisers. I know we are making a real difference, not only in the lives of those who are a part of the group, but also with the other people in our community.