The American Red Cross, Berks County Chapter is excited to announce the launch of our updated Youth Awareness Day.  It will be taking place on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center at 9 am. Youth Awareness Day is a program that has been offered to high school students for over 30 years at a local college.  Here students are able to participate in workshops tailored to real world scenarios. 

With the strain on the economy and budgets decreasing, we needed a change.  Therefore, new this year, a teleconference will be taking place in conjunction with Berks Career and Technology Center Oley.  This way, students can observe and take part in the program without even leaving their school.  This new and innovative way teaches students and keeps costs at a minimum. 

Yvonne Stroman, of Community Prevention Partnership, will be presenting “Media Literacy and Advertising” workshop via teleconference.  We are currently looking to expand this to other schools in the community that have this capability in their district.

For more information or information on how to participate please contact Lori Lowery at (610) 375-4383 ext. 123 or llowery@berks.redcross.org.

Across the United States , March is recognized as American Red Cross Month. As one of the nation’s best known humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters for 127 years. Communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to achieve its mission.

This year the Red Cross is taking time in March to focus on the volunteers and employees who demonstrate such compassion and generosity by supporting the Red Cross in Berks County and around the country. As one of more than 700 chapters and blood regions across the country, we rely on these everyday heroes to give their time and talents to help others through CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator training, to coordinate blood drives, or make financial donations.

In the past year alone, the Berks County Chapter responded to 71 local emergencies, assisted 124 military families and trained 22,513 people in lifesaving skills. Across this community, the Red Cross is an organization people can rely on for help, comfort, assistance and compassion. On behalf of the Berks County Chapter, I thank you for your support to help us continue our service to those in who need us, every day.