American Red Cross – Millburn Short Hills Chapter

Are You Winter Storm Ready?

Tis the season to be prepared for winter storms.  As Charley Shimanski, Disaster Services Senior Vice President for the American Red Cross, said, “We’re heading into winter, when blizzards and bitter cold can be a challenge in some parts of the country.”

A winter storm may be just a moderate snowfall lasting a few hours, or a dangerous blizzard that lasts for several days. Many bring dangerously low temperatures with them, along with strong winds, ice, sleet and freezing rain.

The Red Cross recommends steps you can take to be prepared before the storm hits.

• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Insulate your home & install storm windows/cover the windows with plastic to keep cold air out.
• Maintain your heating equipment, and have your chimney cleaned and inspected.
• Dress in layers of lightweight clothing, and wear mittens and a hat that covers your ears.
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
• If a storm is coming your way, minimize travel. Keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure their drinking water doesn’t freeze.
• During extreme cold, running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.

For more tips on how you can stay safe and warm this winter check out the following links

Winter Storm Safety and Preparedness Checklist (PDF)

Frostbite and Hypothermia [pdf]

Power Outage Checklist [pdf]

Great 5K Run/Walk for Life Turnout

Wow what an incredible day for the American Red Cross Millburn-Short Hills Chapter.  About 300 people participated in our annual 5K Run/Walk for Life on Sunday, December 4, 2011.  As pictured below, awards were presented to the top male and female finishers, with medals awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each age category. 

The proceeds from the event support Red Cross programs and services.  Thanks to your participation and sponsorship we can continue to provide relief to disaster victims, emergency services to our service men and women, host blood drives, replenish the food pantry, provide medical appointment transportation and meals-on-wheels deliveries for local residents.

The Millburn-Short Hills blood drive on November 12th was a great success! Read more about the event in the article below, featured in the Millburn Item.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno Presents Chapter Executives Proclamation

Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno presents Chapter Executives Barbara Allora of the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter and Christy Hodde of the Colonial Crossroads Chapter with the State Proclamation on March 3, 2011.

AREA – (March 09, 2011) – The New Jersey State House acknowledged the American Red Cross on Thursday, March 3^rd in Trenton with an official proclamation signed by Governor Chris Christie and Lieutenant Governor Kim Gaudagno citing March is Red Cross Month.  The proclamation was presented by Lieutenant Governor Gaudagno to representatives from 14 New Jersey Red Cross Chapters in a ceremonial reading. This reading follows a Proclamation signed by President Barack Obama on February 28^th declaring March as Red Cross Month across the nation.