News Archives 2003

AMERICAN RED CROSS OREGON TRAIL CHAPTER RECEIVES GRANT FOR $7,500 FROM THE FRED MEYER FOUNDATION

Portland, Ore.-April 23, 2003-The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter announced today it has received a community grant totaling $7,500 from the Fred Meyer Foundation for the Prepare Oregon - Prepare Youth project. The grant will help train 250 youth in low-income areas on how to prepare for disasters, respond to emergencies and how to be safe during home-alone situations.

By educating Oregonians on how to safely respond to disasters and emergencies, they will be better prepared to help themselves and those who have been affected or need assistance. The Oregon Trail Chapter believes children must be a part of planning and preparing - skills they can carry into adulthood.

“The Fred Meyer Foundation was particularly impressed by the successful track record of the Oregon Trail Chapter in preparing communities for natural and manmade disasters,” said Mary Loftin, vice president of public affairs for Fred Meyer. “We hope this grant will help the Oregon Trail Chapter continue the important work it is doing to enrich the safety of the community.”

“We are proud to be a part of the Portland area community and are committed to helping where we can,” added Loftin. “Social responsibility and community involvement are company priorities established by our founder, Fred G. Meyer. Mr. Meyer said, ‘To be a good neighbor, you must strive to be a good neighbor in all ways.’ Financial support of nonprofit organizations is just one of the ways Fred Meyer upholds this tradition.”
The first program in the Prepare Oregon - Prepare Youth project is Masters of Disaster, which was developed for children in kindergarten through second grade. Youth learn how to make a family disaster plan that includes establishing family meeting places, an out-of-town contact, and an emergency numbers contact list.

The second program is Babysitter’s Training, a six-hour course that teaches youth, ages 11 to 15, the skills needed to be prepared and responsible childcare givers. This course focuses on child development, care of infants, accident prevention and emergency response.
When I’m in Charge (WIIC) is a two and a half-hour course that prepares children, ages eight to 11, how to respond to and be safe in situations. It provides important skills that can be used when youth are alone or need to think quickly and logically. WIIC curriculum covers phone and Internet safety, first aid and family communication through role-playing, activities and discussions designed to stimulate critical thinking.

The goal of the Prepare Oregon - Prepare Youth project is to train more than 600 rural and urban youth by June 30, 2004. In March and April of this year, 25 youth from George and Portsmouth Middle Schools, as well as 32 youth from Hauton B. Lee Middle School, completed Babysitter’s Training. Twenty-one youth from Edwards Elementary in Newberg finished the When I’m in Charge class.

Self-Enhancement Inc., YWCA’s Learn Links, Cedar Mill Elementary School and Cedar Mill Crossing Apartments will also be involved in the Prepare Oregon - Prepare Youth project.

About the Fred Meyer Foundation
The Fred Meyer Foundation assists nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping children and reducing hunger in communities served by the 133 Fred Meyer stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Utah. Fred Meyer is a division of The Kroger Co., which is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. The Fred Meyer Foundation has awarded grants totally approximately $2.1 million since it began in December 1998. For more information call (800) 858-9202 ext. 5605.

About the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter
The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter serves residents of Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill Counties. Last year Oregon Trail Chapter touched more than 122,000 lives through emergency services, health and safety courses and programs and transportation services. Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to disasters every 32 hours on average. To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, call (503) 284-1234. To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.PrepareForLife.org

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2003 Archives

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.PrepareOregon.org