September is National Preparedness Month; Join Red Cross on Sept. 18 for Free Two-Hour Emergency Preparedness Course
News Release: September 10, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Working to make personal preparedness a priority for every city, neighborhood and household, the American Red Cross joins a coalition of national organizations—including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—in launching National Preparedness Month.
During the month of September, the more than 900 Red Cross chapters and Blood Services Regions will host a variety of events geared toward bringing the preparedness message home to the communities they serve.
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley will offer a “Together We Prepare” presentation to help the public prepare for emerging threats and disasters before they happen. The free two-hour program encourages individuals to take five proactive steps: (1) make a plan; (2) build a kit; (3) get trained; (4) volunteer; and (5) give blood to help make their families and neighborhoods safer.
“Together We Prepare is an opportunity for us to remind residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties of the importance of preparedness and to let them know the Red Cross is here as a resource,” said John Hughes, executive director of the local Red Cross. “The goal is to create an overall culture of preparedness—one where readiness is top of mind everywhere we live, learn and work. We owe it to ourselves, our families and our community to be prepared.”
Presentations will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at two locations: at the American Red Cross, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem; and at the Lehighton Borough Annex, 110 N. Third Street, Lehighton.
To register for the presentation in Bethlehem, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 247; for Lehighton, call (610) 377-2100, Monday-Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is recommended that children be at least 11 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Deadline for registration is Sept. 16.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
