Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

PORTLAND, Ore. – March 29, 2006 – The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter and the Qwest Foundation are partnering to present the Disaster Leadership Institute, a nine-day training session offering over 100 courses in disaster relief and emergency response.

With contributions from the Qwest Foundation and others, the Disaster Leadership Institute will be held June 24 to July 2 at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel in Portland, Ore. The institute is open to the public and will offer basic CPR and First Aid courses as well as advanced leadership courses to trained volunteers and relief workers. More than 500 people from across the country are expected to attend.

“Qwest is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where customers live and work,” said Ric Padilla, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Qwest. “We are proud of our relationship with the American Red Cross.”

The Institute comes in response to last year's Hurricane Katrina relief operations during which more than 1500 new volunteers were trained at the training center at Washington-Monroe High School. Many of these volunteers requested leadership and supervisory training to support future volunteer efforts to provide relief operations in local, national and international efforts.

“So many volunteers wanted more training we decided to create this institute to give them more advanced skills,” said Joe Mash, American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter volunteer and assistant director of the Disaster Leadership Institute. “Instructors are coming from all across the country to not only teach, but also to learn.”

Registration costs $25 and must be completed by May 1. Click here for more information or to register for the Disaster Leadership Institute, call (503) 528-5728, or email 2006institute@redcross-pdx.org.

About Qwest Foundation
The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results. The Qwest Foundation's philosophy is to help build strong communities through investing in people and the places where they live and work. For more information, visit www.qwest.com/foundation .

About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 32 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org.

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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.redcross-pdx.org