Give the Gift of Life. Donate Blood.

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

I have decided to use “the power of the pen” as a volunteer writer to help share stories of how the American Red Cross is making a difference in my community of Fairfax, Virginia. To begin this endeavor, I will share a personal story.

About 6 years ago, we learned my then-eight-year-old son had a nasty strep infection raging throughout his body, and he needed plasma infusions to help restore his system back to health. Our initial reaction was shock and disbelief. My husband, daughter, and I were frightened, sad, confused – and we could not even imagine the pain my son must have been going through from being so sick. But, because of the American Red Cross, we had hope. The hospital had the plasma supply our son needed to receive treatment right away. The plasma infusions worked as he battled through eliminating the infection from his body. Today, he is a healthy teenager, and we are grateful to the many benevolent people who had donated their blood to the American Red Cross. We realize this was a gift of health for our son. 

As you are thinking of gifts to give this holiday season, if you can, I encourage you to donate blood and give someone else out there the gift of health. The American Red Cross collects 40 percent of the blood and blood product supplies in the United States. It’s easy to locate a local donation drive. Just log onto http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood and type in your zip code. You can also host a blood drive. More information about that can be accessed at www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive.

Here's just a few of the many upcoming opportunities to donate in Fairfax, VA:

Fairfax Blood Donation Center

2720 Prosperity Avenue

Suite 200

Fairfax, VA 22031

Friday, Dec. 23, 1016 from 7:00 am to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 2016 from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

#TBT | Voices From Home

It's National Military Appreciation Month so naturally we were excited when we uncovered news articles about the "Voices From Home" program of the Vietnam era. 

From the days of the Civil War, the Red Cross has played an important part in keeping troops and their families connected. While the manner in which the Red Cross helps maintain communications has evolved, the spirit remains the same. 

The American Red Cross Charter of 1905 provided the official foundation for what is now known as Service to the Armed Forces. Part of the duties outlined in the charter include providing communication services between Americans and the U.S. Armed Forces.

During the war in Vietnam, the American Red Cross handled more than 2.1 million emergency communications between servicemen and their families. The Red Cross began a new program around the holidays called "Voices from Home," which made it possible for troops thousands of miles away to hear their family's voices.

Families who wished to participate in the program would record messages and thousands of these recordings were delivered to troops overseas. It was widely believed that the tapes helped boost morale. Separated families and servicemen often remarked that hearing a loved one's voice was the closest thing to being reunited. 

Red Cross Volunteers at the Chapter House in Arlington and across Northern Virginia helped family members prepare 13-minute tapes to be sent to the Red Cross Field Director who was located nearest to the serviceman's post or base. The Field Director would then privately play the tapes to the servicemen. Accompanying the taped messages were candid camera shots of the family as it sent its greetings. 

Each tape was highly individual. Families sang songs, children played musical instruments, young brides greeted their husbands, dogs barked, and cats meowed. 

"Words of Holiday cheer across the miles will be so welcome. Even the bark of a family dog." Mrs. James L. Baldwin, Chairman of "Voices from Home," Red Cross Chapter House, Arlington, November 1967.

A Holiday Movie Cameo

By Kelly Norton, Volunteer Contributor

"Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends."

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

"Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?"

This time of year, I find that I frequently quote holiday movies in normal conversation. Do you have a favorite holiday movie?

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I have a list of movies that I traditionally watch every year and find it's a great way to get in the holiday spirit. The list includes old classic like It's a Wonderful Life, cartoons like Frosty the Snowman, and more recent comedies like ELF. My absolute favorite holiday movie though is White Christmas. This 1954 film is a musical about two successful entertainers, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who put on a show at an inn in Vermont with two sisters. The inn is owned by their beloved World War II commanding officer, General Waverly. There's a lot more to the story, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it! 

While watching the movie recently, I noticed something I hadn't before. In the beginning scenes, when Wallace and Davis are serving in the Army in Europe, you can see a Red Cross vehicle in the background! 

I've read the history of the Red Cross, but not specifically the World War II time period. So, I paused the movie and did some research. Here are some facts that I discovered about the American Red Cross during WWII:

• More than 104,000 nurses were recruited by the American Red Cross to serve in military hospitals both in the U.S. and overseas
• 27 million packages were prepared for American and Allied prisoners of war
• Over 300,000 tons of supplies were shipped overseas
• At the military's request, the Red Cross initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces
• 78 Red Cross workers died while serving their country overseas during the war

Although I wasn't expecting this "cameo" by the Red Cross when watching White Christmas, I'm so glad it inspired me to learn more about the history of service that Red Cross volunteers have provided in the past. It made me even more thankful for the many volunteers who are continuing this tradition today.

Holiday Cheer for Walter Reed Families

By Dana Ayers, Volunteer Contributor

Two Saturdays ago, I spent the afternoon with ladies from the local Red Cross Tiffany Circle chapter as they wrapped gifts for families spending Christmas at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

The Tiffany Circle is a society of women leaders and philanthropists who invest a minimum of $10,000 annually to the Red Cross. This particular chapter appeared to be going above and beyond that requirement, and had joined forces with Operation Covert Santa for the third year in a row. Operation Covert Santa’s mission is to find out what the families of wounded service members at Walter Reed need for the holiday and then match donors to supply those needs anonymously. The donors do not know the families’ identities, and the families do not know the donors.  It really is like the gifts just come from Santa. 

One of the Tiffany Circle chapter chairs, Dale Koepenick, is actually friends with "Husky Elf," the founder of Operation Covert Santa, and this is how the chapter got involved. This year, the chapter supported four different families. “The Tiffany Circle has just been super in supporting this project and it just proves it’s better to give than to receive,” Dale shared.

And give these ladies do. Beyond the Tiffany Circle member requirements, the DC chapter focuses efforts in three other areas: 

• Social Service (like Operation Covert Santa and giving Bubbles Salon makeovers twice a year to ladies living at Walter Reed)
• Socials (like participating in an annual gala where distinguished woman warriors are honored)
• And Preparedness and Education (like organizing CPR training for Circle members)

The gift wrapping party was held at the home of Vicki Iseman, one of the chapter members. She had laid out a wonderful spread of noshes and everything needed for wrapping. Dale began the event by reading the details of each of the families they were providing for.

While Husky Elf keeps the names of the families private, he does share a little about what they are facing. So, one by one, Dale read the details of the four recipients. Recipients like the US Army helicopter mechanic who sustained a serious spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other injuries while serving in Afghanistan. He, his wife, and his four year old son were all getting gifts from Covert Santa, thanks to the Tiffany Circle.

After the descriptions were all read, the ladies dove in to wrap the gifts.        

Everyone was so happy to be able to provide in some way. “I’ve been privileged to support the men and women who serve our country and it’s my hope that we provide some comfort during this season for people who’ve  given so much to us,” Vicki said.

Not surprisingly, the group had gone above and beyond the list of requests and a member also secured a generous donation of jewelry sets from Stella and Dot as an added holiday surprise for all the female members of the families. 

As I got ready to leave, I got to see the line of gifts that were being shuttled to Dale's car for delivery to Husky. Thanks to these women, four more families trying to celebrate the holidays from a hospital room will at least get everything on their wish list and hopefully feel some of the magic of the holiday season. Just one more way the Red Cross supports our nation’s service members.

Visit the Red Cross in the National Capital Region for more information on the DC Tiffany Circle.

For more information on Operation Covert Santa, please contact Mary Jo Hoskyns at mary.hoskyns@redcross.org. 

December in a Nutshell

Strike a Light But Not a Fire

By Squiggy the Squirrel

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to cuddle up with a good book on the couch, enjoy a cup of hazelnut hot chocolate, and light my favorite cinnamon-scented candle. Something I always keep in mind though is that candles are fire, and that means I have to take certain safety steps.

Whether you're celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or another holiday this month, you'll probably use a candle at some point. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, December is the peak month for fires caused by candles. During this month, 13% of home candle fires start with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year. Therefore, from your favorite squirrel, here are some tips to make sure your holidays are bright but also safe:

Keep candles a safe distance (about 12 inches) from anything that can burn. This includes paper, plastic, towels, blankets, curtains, clothing, etc. It's also best to keep candles out of bedrooms or any place where you might accidentally fall asleep while they're lit.

Do not leave a burning candle unattended. If you're leaving a room, extinguish all candles. This also applies to when you're going to sleep. About half of all home candle fire deaths occur between midnight and 6am.

Watch out for children and pets. Small children and pets can easily knock over a candle by accident, so it's best to avoid lighting candles when they're in the room.

Use a candleholder. If you do use candles, make sure they're in a sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holder like the ones in the picture above.

Don't use them as tree decorations. If you have a Christmas tree, don't use lit candles as decorations. It's very dangerous.

During an emergency, use a flashlight. If there's a power failure, it's much safer to use a flashlight or other battery-powered light rather than a lit candle.

Avoid when medical oxygen is present. Never use a candle in a situation where medical oxygen is in use. This combination could lead to a very large fire.

Share the knowledge! Many people use candles during the holidays, so while you're spreading cheer, also share these safety tips. If you want to learn more, you can check out more candle safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration as well as these holiday fire safety tips from the Red Cross.

Happy Holidays!

xo,

Squiggy

Over the River and Through the Woods

Holiday Travel Safety Tips for Wherever You Go 

By Kelly Norton, Volunteer Contributor 

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but they're also the busiest - especially for the roads, rails, and skies.

As travelers embark on their Thanksgiving journeys this week, make sure your holiday travel is safe and stress-free:

By Road

• According to the US Department of Transportation, about 91% of long-distance holiday travel is by personal vehicle, such as a car. With so many people on the roads, make sure you're paying full attention. Avoid distractions by not using your cell phone while driving and keeping your radio volume low
• Give your car a thorough check before you hit the road. Fill up on gas and check the air pressure in the tires as well as the windshield fluid
• Obey the rules of the road especially the speed limit
• Also, buckle up at all times
• Take breaks and rotate drivers if needed
• Make sure to turn on the car's headlights when the sun starts to set
• Look up directions ahead of time and designate someone as navigator who will assist the driver
• Be respectful of your fellow drivers! It's the holiday season after all!

By Rail and Air

• 25.1 million people are projected to fly over the holidays according to Airlines for America. So help everything go smoothly by obeying the rules
• Listen to conductors, flights attendants, and pilots
• Wash your hands frequently. Many travelers mean many germs. Bring hand sanitzer with you if you can
• When waiting for a train, stay a safe distance away from the tracks
• Label all of your suitcases and make sure you don't forget any personal belongings under or over your seat

Fun Travel Tips

• For a long car ride, make a holiday playlist in advance, getting input from everyone who will be in the car. Having great songs to sing along to will make the trip faster and everyone will have contributed
• Have extra bubble wrap lying around? Make a fun travel game to play on your trip!
• Keep a travel journal and write down funny quotes or stories that happen along the way

Safe travels!!

Spreading Happiness to Heroes Through Holiday Mail

By Dana Ayers, Volunteer Contributor

Looking for a way to show appreciation to our service members this holiday season? The annual American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign allows you to send cards and personal messages of encouragement to our military heroes around the world. It's a way for us to bring a smile or just a touch of home to service members who cannot be with their families for the holidays.

I personally can attest to how much simple gestures mean to my friends who have served. I remember asking a friend deployed to Iraq if he needed anything and him insisting he was fine. A couple of friends and I created a card and sent it to him anyway - he immediately told me how much it meant to him. I honestly thought he wouldn't care either way, but his words back to me showed just how much he and his troops really did need to know people cared back home.

With the ending of the Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan coming to a close, I've heard my friends who've served admit that they feel like America has forgotten them. They worry some people don't even realize we are still fighting and have already forgotten those who fought in years past. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an easy way to let them know they're wrong - that we have not forgotten their service.

There are several ways you can participate. You can send cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Or, you can sign cards in person throughout November at the Red Cross and NetApp table in Tysons Corner Center. Located on level 2 outside of Bloomingdales and American Girl - schedule below:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 2-6pm

Tuesdays, Thursdays: 10am-2pm

Saturdays, Sundays: 11am-5pm

Black Friday: 9am-3pm

This is a great way to engage your whole family in this program while you are shopping for holidays gifts! Additionally, you can use social media to participate. Simply tag photos or video messages with the #HolidayMail hashtag and the Red Cross will post on the national blog. Videos will be posted on a special Holiday Mail page so that any hospital, military installation, or veterans center can stream videos. (Also, the stream can be accessed at anytime, simply look up #HolidayMail on Twitter.)

Let our military heroes know they're still on our minds, especially during the holidays! Watch below to see what your mail could mean to a hero this holiday season!