Kern Chapter Responds to Another Local Fire
Last night, the KERN CHAPTER, responded to a fire on the 100 block of McCord Street and provided Food, Clothing, Shelter, Comfort Kits, and Teddy Bears to 5 people (2 Adults and 3 Children). This marks the 16th home fire the chapter has responded to in the last two months with a total of 91 people receiving Kern Chapter Red Cross Assistance.
Home fires can strike quickly and without warning, and are devastating to those affected. Thankfully, there are things we can all do to help:
1. Prevent. Take action to reduce your risk of home fires by reviewing our Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Share these tips with your loved ones.
2. Donate. Help your neighbors recover from disasters like home fires by making tax-deductible donation to the Kern Chapter. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free to those in need, because of generous donations from people like you.
3. Volunteer. Become a volunteer Red Cross disaster responder. Contact the Kern Chapter to find out about available disaster response training.
When you take action to help others, you can change lives, including your own.
Thank you for your time and support.
Jennifer Perfect
Emergency Services Director
KERN CHAPTER
American Red Cross, Kern Chapter and Pitney Bowes Invite Public to Send a “Touch of Home” to Service Members, Veterans and Family Members this Holiday Season
“Holiday Mail for Heroes” to Deliver Greetings to U.S. Military Members and Veterans
BAKERSFIELD, CA, November 03, 2009—The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season. Now in its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans.
Between November 2 and December 7, the public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays. Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping at no charge. The Red Cross will utilize hundreds of volunteers to sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family members in November and December.
“It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” said Jennifer Perfect, Emergency Service Director, American Red Cross, Kern Chapter. “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.”
Last year, with the help of Pitney Bowes, hundreds of volunteers screened, sorted and packaged cards that were delivered to military bases, veteran and military hospitals across the U.S. and around the world.
In addition to the Holliday Mail for Heroes, your local American Red Cross, Kern chapter is offering free class, First Aid, CPR, Babysitter’s Training, Pet First Aid and Water Safety, to our U. S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
“The men and women who serve our country in uniform deserve our thanks every single day, and sending just one card is all it takes to make a difference in the life of one of our nation’s heroes,” said Jon Love, President of Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. “We are honored to participate in this important initiative again with the American Red Cross and look forward to helping the public say happy holidays and thank you.”
Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Please be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 7. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders. For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.
Visit Redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.
Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcross and #HMFH.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About Pitney Bowes:
Pitney Bowes is a $6.3 billion global technology leader whose products, services and solutions deliver value within the mailstream and beyond. Founded in 1920, our company’s 35,000 employees deliver technology, service and innovation to more than two million customers worldwide. For more information about Pitney Bowes, its products, services and solutions, visit www.pb.com.
-END-
