The American Red Cross helped hundreds of thousands of people whose lives were forever changed by disasters in 2011, from tornadoes, floods, wildfires and hurricanes in the U.S. to earthquakes and other disasters around the world.

Throughout the year, the American Red Cross supported the people of Japan and Haiti, while launching 137 domestic disaster relief operations in 46 states and territories to help people affected by fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes across the United States. In addition, major international disasters included the Japan earthquake and tsunami response and the continuing work following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Here in the Heart of Tennessee Chapter, the Red Cross launched relief operations after tornadoes struck the Estill Springs & Huntland communities in the Spring.

“This disaster affected many people’s lives here in these rural communities,” said CEO, Greg King. “Red Cross workers from both here at home and across the country worked tirelessly to make sure people had a safe place to stay, food to eat, and help getting their lives back on track.”

In the United States, the Red Cross opened 1,019 shelters and provided more than 130,000 overnight stays. 27,622 trained disaster workers served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks and distributed more than 2.6 million relief items. Health and mental health workers provided more than 133,000 consultations and Red Cross workers opened 16,752 cases to help people get on the road to recovery.

Tornadoes, flooding and wildfires ripped across the country

State after state faced the powerful force of tornadoes in 2011. Devastating winds plowed through many neighborhoods, leaving destruction in their wake. Through it all, the Red Cross was on the scene, providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and supplies to help with the clean-up. The Red Cross helped people affected by large-scale tornadoes in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin in 2011.

A large part of the country – almost 20 states – was impacted by flooding in 2011. The Red Cross launched 27 relief operations related to flooding in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Vermont.

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused the need for relief operations in more than a dozen states. Thousands of disaster workers were deployed and more than 250 Red Cross feeding trucks were sent into neighborhoods to distribute meals and clean-up supplies. In New York and New Jersey alone, the Red Cross provided almost 34,000 overnight stays in shelters and distributed more than 840,000 meals and snacks.

Wildfires consumed almost four million acres across the state of Texas, and destroyed thousands

of acres in New Mexico, Arizona, Florida and Oklahoma. Again, the Red Cross stepped in to help in the fire-ravaged neighborhoods, providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support for those forced to leave their homes, as well as firefighters and first responders.

Japan earthquake, tsunami changed people's lives forever

In March, a powerful earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japan, claiming more than 15,000 lives, as well as damaging and destroying buildings, roads and nuclear power plants. Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless and lives were changed forever.

The Japanese Red Cross responded immediately, distributing food, emergency kits, blankets and supplies. Their medical teams provided health services, while other volunteers provided emotional support and social assistance.  More than 80,000 volunteers assisted in operating shelters, helped with clean-up efforts and provided care for the elderly.

Through the generosity of the American people and their donations, the American Red Cross continues to support recovery efforts through the Japanese Red Cross. These include improving living conditions in evacuation centers and temporary homes by providing appliance packages for families and winterizing structures against the cold. American Red Cross funds are also supporting the Japanese Red Cross in building a temporary hospital and rebuilding a Red Cross nursing school dedicated to training specialists in disaster medical care. Additional American Red Cross support will improve the disaster response capacity of the Japanese Red Cross.

The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to assist people affected by disasters. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions.  The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross wants your family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips, the lucky 13:

• Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
• From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
• If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
• When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
• Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark!  (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
• Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
• As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
• Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!
• You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don’t hide between parked vehicles).
• Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
• You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
• Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

For additional information on how you and your family can be prepared for emergencies on Halloween or on any day of the year, please contact your local chapter or visit www.redcross.org.

All across Tennessee local residents are planning grand ways to say their goodbyes to summer during Labor Day weekend. Before you pack up and head out on the lake or to the pool one last time, the American Red Cross asks that you take a moment to ensure you’re heading in a safe direction.

Among the concerns revelers need to watch for this holiday are crowded roadways. Whether you are sticking close to home or off on an excursion, remember, accidents can often be avoided through careful preparation. Here are a few precautions to keep in mind:

Keep a kit within reach. You should always have a first aid kit in your home, by the pool, packed with your beach gear and in your car.

You’re ready - but is your car? Don’t wait for a rattle or a warning light to find out your car isn’t up for the trip. Be sure to have brakes, tires, oil and fluids checked before taking to the roadways

Don’t keep your plans to yourself. It’s important to share your travel plans with family and friends. Let them know the dates you plan to travel and the location of where you’re staying. Always share contact numbers in case of an emergency.

Play it safe under the sun. The sun is just as hot on Labor Day as it was 4th of July, so you’ll need to take the same precautions. Always wear sunscreen when outdoors. Make sure everyone wears a hat to shield direct sunlight. Keep enough water or juice for everyone to drink continuously throughout the day and be sure to drink fluids even when you’re not thirsty.

Enjoy water the safe way. Now is not the time to forget about the rules of water safety. Remember: never swim alone, only swim in supervised areas, enter water feet first, and don’t mix alcohol with swimming or boating.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Coffee, Lincoln, Marshall & Moore counties. Over the past year the Chapter trained nearly 15,000 people in CPR & First Aid, Babysitting and Aquatics training, and provided pre-deployment briefings and emergency communications for over 640 active duty military personnel and their families. Over 13,177 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 320 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through generous gifts from the local community. To get more information please call 615) 893-4272 or log on to www.midtnredcross.org.

Murfreesboro, TN - Red Cross Volunteers will be visiting affected areas in Rutherford and Franklin Counties in the Murfreesboro and Huntland communities today to begin damage assessment to homes that were damaged by yesterday’s severe storms.

The Respite Center that was opened at New Vision Baptist Church has since closed after no one needed any overnight sheltering Wednesday evening.  The Red Cross would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at New Vision Baptist for their help and willingness to open the Respite Center immediately following the storms yesterday.

During the intermittent breaks between storms yesterday, Red Cross volunteers visited several communities in the Murfreesboro area to deliver meals, snacks and water to emergency workers as well as volunteers and families who were cleaning up debris and repairing damaged homes. Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to ensure that the emergency needs of the affected families are being addressed.

Get Help:  Anyone in Murfreesboro needing Red Cross assistance is encouraged to call the local Red Cross office at 615.893.4272 and follow the prompts for Disaster Assistance.  Those living in the Huntland community can call 931.455.2501.

How to Help:

You can help your local Red Cross assist local disaster victims in our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by making a contribution to the Heart of Tennessee Chapter at 501 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129 or online at www.midtnredcross.org.   At this time all of the immediate spontaneous volunteer needs for the Heart of Tennessee Chapter have been met for this disaster.  If you are interested in becoming a trained Red Cross volunteer so that you will be ready to respond to the next disaster please sign up and complete a background check online at www.midtnredcross.org today!

The American Red Cross does not accept or solicit small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief purposes.  Small items such as collections of food, used clothing, and shoes often must be cleaned, sorted, and repackaged which impedes the valuable resources of money, time, and personnel that are needed for other aspects of our relief operation. The Red Cross, in partnership with other agencies, suggests that the best use for those types of donations is to support needy agencies within your community that are capable of processing these items.  Community members who have items to donate such as bottled water, non-perishable foods, diapers, baby food and formula, cleaning supplies and other necessity items are encouraged to do so through our partner agencies by calling 2-1-1.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Coffee & Moore counties. Over the past year the Chapter trained nearly 15,000 people in CPR & First Aid, Babysitting and Aquatics training, and provided pre-deployment briefings and emergency communications for over 640 active duty military personnel and their families. Over 13,177 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 320 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through generous gifts from the local community. To get more information please call 615) 893-4272 or log on to www.midtnredcross.org.

The American Red Cross – Heart of Tennessee Chapter will host its grand opening and ribbon cutting event to commemorate their new building on April 7^th at the new location at 501 Memorial Blvd.

What:  Grand Opening Celebration for the American Red Cross – Heart of Tennessee Chapter

Where:  501 Memorial Blvd. – Murfreesboro, TN

When: Thursday, April 7^th at 10 o’clock a.m.

The new location, in the former Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building, on Memorial Blvd. puts the Red Cross visibly in the heart of the community.  Easily accessible for donations, as well as training and emergency response, the new Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross will be better able to build awareness of its services and will stand as a true community center for aid, relief & education.

The American Red Cross has been America’s best known and most respected charity.  Last year it touched the lives of one in five Americans, often in the context of disaster and personal loss.  It is the pre-eminent provider of community disaster education, life saving blood products, health and safety training and disaster relief assistance.

The demand for the Red Cross has grown increasingly over the past two years.  It has responded to evacuees from Hurricane Gustav, the 2009 Good Friday Tornados and May 2010 flooding.

With the new state-of-the-art facility for our community, the Red Cross can collect the needed funds to help and to continue training in CPR, First Aid and Aquatics Safety, and continue collecting life-saving blood for use in the local medical facilities and provide support and emergency communications for hundreds of local families who have loved ones serving in the Armed Forces throughout the world.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Coffee & Moore counties. Last year your Red Cross provided $225,366 in direct financial assistance to those affected by all disasters. Over the past year the Chapter trained 12,591 people in CPR & First Aid, Babysitting and Aquatics training, and provided pre-deployment briefings and emergency communications for over 206 active duty military personnel and their families. Over 12,000 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 320 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through gen

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross officially moved into the former Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building located at 501 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

As for the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, renovations are underway on the blood donation room at the new location.  The region is scheduled to move into the building on Thursday, March 17.  Donors may continue to give blood at our former location, 836 Commercial Court, until the new facility opens on March 17.

Red Cross launched a $925,000 Capital Campaign to help raise funds to pay for the new facility back in December of 2010.  To date $868,000 has been raised.  You can donate to the Red Cross Capital Campaign by logging on to www.midntredcross.org.

The new facility features a state-of-the-art Disaster Operations Center and a new training center to teach community members CPR, First Aid, AED and many other lifesaving techniques.  The updated blood collection center features 4 whole blood beds, 2 double red cell beds and 2 platelet beds.

“This new facility will allow the Red Cross to have the capacity and the capability to better serve our community and surrounding counties to keep up with the tremendous growth in Middle Tennessee,” said Board Chairman, Bill Shacklett.

A grand opening celebration is scheduled at the new location on Thursday, April 17 at 10 a.m.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Coffee & Moore counties. Last year your Red Cross provided $225,366 in direct financial assistance to those affected by all disasters. Over the past year the Chapter trained 12,591 people in CPR & First Aid, Babysitting and Aquatics training, and provided pre-deployment briefings and emergency communications for over 206 active duty military personnel and their families. Over 12,000 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 320 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through generous gifts from the local community. To get more information please call 615) 893-4272 or log on to www.midtnredcross.org.