Stay safe, prepared and ready this August

Helping students and families this season Having trouble viewing this message? [Click Here]( [American Red Cross]( August 2023 [DONATE]( [Crossnotes]( [Stay safe this back-to-school]( Can you believe it’s almost back-to-school season, {NAME}? As the days get shorter, students are gathering supplies, packing their backpacks and swapping swim trunks for school sneakers. To make sure your kids remain safe, take a look at these back-to-school safety tips. 3 Ways to Stay Safe as School Starts - Ditch device‑distracted walking. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports distracted walking can be dangerous, even deadly. Teach your students to not text or talk on the phone while walking. - Stay far from the curb. When students wait for the school bus, tell them to stay far away from the traffic on the road. - Keep little ones safe. If your students are going to school for the first time, make sure they know how to get in touch with you or another trusted adult, if need be. This includes phone numbers, emails and other contact information. [READ MORE TIPS HERE]( [Complete the crossword!]( The Red CrossWord is back! [Test your knowledge with the latest edition of the American Red CrossWord.]( [American Red Cross]( Celebrating World Humanitarian Day [SIGN THE PLEDGE]( World Humanitarian Day is August 19 — a global day to recognize the sacrifices, commitment and dedication of humanitarian workers. Today, the Red Cross relies on over 275,000 volunteers to deliver aid — powered by donors like you — who are dedicated to helping others in times of need. Whether it’s providing relief supplies or a warm meal to those affected by a disaster, assisting a military family or providing lifesaving training, the Red Cross is only able to provide the support it does because of this compassionate community. Celebrate with us! Add your name to our World Humanitarian Day pledge to help us show the commitment and power of this humanitarian community. [Reel in the rewards when you give!]( Give Blood, Catch a Flick on Us! [GIVE BLOOD]( You don’t have to watch movies to see heroes in action. Blood donors like you help save lives every day, especially during this critical summer season when we often see a drop in donation appointments. [As thanks for coming to give blood by Aug. 31, we’ll send you a $10 e-gift card]( to a movie merchant of your choice.* You can beat the heat this summer while you donate and then put your gift card toward a summer blockbuster, on us. Can hospital patients count on you? [Schedule now!]( [Swim Safely this Summer]( Be Water Smart [LEARN MORE]( If you are heading out to the pool, beach or waterpark to cool off this summer, make sure everyone is water smart: Learn how to be safe, make good choices, learn to swim and know how to handle emergencies. - Swim in an area with lifeguards. Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over. - Children, inexperienced swimmers and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. - Teach children to always ask permission to go near water. - Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself. - [Download the free Red Cross Swim app]( for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and visit [redcross.org/watersafety]( for additional resources. [Support the Red Cross at a GreenDrop donation center]( Support the Red Cross with GreenDrop [LEARN MORE]( Now you can support the American Red Cross in 49 locations across 8 states, including Hawaii! Gently used clothing and household items can be dropped off at a [GreenDrop donation center]( where a friendly attendant will greet you and assist with unloading the donations. GreenDrop is a for-profit company that pays the Red Cross for those donations, which provide critical funding for Red Cross programs and relief efforts. [Why I Give] [Rowan Perry, Red Cross]( Meet Rowan Perry, Red Cross Volunteer [READ HER STORY]( Rowan Perry was in the middle of a 10‑month service program with [AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps]( when her team got the call from the Red Cross to assist with severe storms in Little Rock, Arkansas in April. “We had the opportunity to drive through where some of the tornado damage happened — and it was just devastation. You could see where these people had lived. I had never been to where a tornado was, living in Vermont,” she said. For Perry, public service through AmeriCorps and the Red Cross was a way for her to experience cultures she otherwise might not have — and offer her time and hard work to make a difference. [Read more about Rowan’s story and why she says her experience with AmeriCorps and the Red Cross changed her life.]( [Thank you to our Sponsor]( [SMBC is proud to serve as a Ready365 Gold Member, an important way to support our local communities during times of disasters as part of our corporate citizenship initiatives.]( [Red Cross Apps]( Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! [Download our FREE mobile apps]( today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on [App Store®]( or [Google Play™](. [Apple Store]( [Google Play]( Get more of the latest Red Cross news - [Meet the TCS Runners from Team Red Cross 2023]( - [A Day in the Life of a DAT Volunteer]( - [Greater New York Kicks off 2023-2024 Clara's Council Activities]( [Champions]( Make a monthly donation and receive a special Red Cross Pin as our way of saying thanks! [BECOME A CHAMPION]( [Gail] Every year, back‑to‑school season brings new beginnings, fresh challenges and endless opportunities for growth. Transitioning from summertime to school can be both exciting and overwhelming for families, which is why the American Red Cross encourages you to think about preparing your loved ones to stay safe throughout the fall. As we’ve shared in this month’s Crossnotes, there are many important ways to stay safe during this time of year. Of course, beyond back‑to‑school season, the Red Cross is also there during times of emergency — to help create a secure and nurturing environment for students and their families. Whether we are teaching vital health and safety skills, collecting lifesaving blood, caring for our military members and their families, or providing safe shelter and a warm meal to those affected by disaster, our dedicated volunteers and staff are ready to lend a helping hand all year long. Your support makes it possible for the Red Cross to be there when it matters most. [If you are able, please consider making a donation today to help communities thrive through times of disaster.]( Your generosity will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people facing their darkest hours. Together, we can bring relief and hope to those in need. With gratitude, [Gail McGovern] Gail McGovern President and CEO American Red Cross [Subscribe]( | [Contact Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( *Presenting donors who receive this offer and present to donate during the applicable promotional time frame are eligible to receive the above described e-gift card(s). This offer is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. Limit one (1) per presenting donor unless otherwise indicated. If a presenting donor qualifies for multiple offers, the donor will only receive the higher offer unless otherwise indicated. Instructions on how to redeem the gift card will be emailed to the address listed on the presenting donor’s American Red Cross donor profile approximately thirty (30) days after attempted donation(s). All gift cards are subject to individual merchant terms and conditions, and all trademarks are property of their respective owners. Merchants and offers are subject to change. No substitutions by presenting donors. American Red Cross is not responsible for lost, damaged, corrupted or stolen gift cards and may replace any such cards at its sole discretion. Any questions or problems in connection with redeeming gift cards must be directed to the merchant. [Click here]( to unsubscribe from our list, but please know that if you leave, it will be harder for you to stay involved with the Red Cross and continue the work of which you’ve been such a critical part. It is only because of supporters like you that the Red Cross is able to respond when a disaster strikes or a home is impacted by fire, when someone needs CPR or a lifesaving blood transfusion, or when a family needs to contact a deployed service member in an emergency. And we don’t want to lose you! Thanks for your support! © [2023 American Red Cross]( | 431 18th Street NW Washington DC 20006 Donate by phone: 1-800-RED CROSS(1-800-733-2767) | [Donate by Mail]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Twitter]( [Flickr]( [A gift of any size]( supports all of the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross. [BBB] [Seal of Transparency - 2023 Platinum]( [90¢] The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.