American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania

In 2020, the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region was able to respond to home fires and disasters across our entire Commonwealth, bringing much-needed help to hundreds of families. We were also able to help keep our state and our nation's blood supply going to help hospital patients in need of donations. Through our Service to the Armed Forces, we supported our veterans, members of the military and their families. We were able to do all of these things - even durin...g a pandemic - thanks to YOU! We are so grateful to all of our volunteers, donors and corporate sponsors for your support of the Red Cross mission. As the calendar turns a page toward January, the mission of the American Red Cross continues. Whether you would like to support through a blood donation, a financial contribution or by volunteering your time, there are many ways that YOU can get involved with our life-saving mission. To learn more, visit redcross.org/greaterpa today. All the best wishes for a safe a healthy New Year 2021!

As the end of 2020 draws near and we begin to think about New Year’s resolutions, consider becoming an American Red Cross volunteer. Representing more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce, volunteers are the backbone of our lifesaving mission. In a year of the coronavirus pandemic and relentless disasters, people of all backgrounds have shared how rewarding it’s been to give back and help ease the suffering of others. HOW TO HELP The need for volunteers is constant, and their ...support makes it possible to provide relief and comfort for disaster victims, lifesaving blood products for patients, emergency support for military families and veterans, and much more. STAYING SAFE Everyone’s safety is our top priority, and we are working with public health officials to help keep our communities and volunteers safe during COVID-19. When considering volunteer opportunities, review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Resolve to volunteer today. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started.

Each year, disasters around the world devastate millions of people. But many communities are missing from the maps that responders use to deliver lifesaving aid. To help get relief into people’s hands, the American Red Cross and partner organizations have launched the Missing Maps project. Using OpenStreetMap, volunteers have put millions of people from high-risk countries on the map since 2014. This makes a lifesaving difference for disaster workers combating deadly health c...rises like the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. And when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake ravaged parts of Nepal in 2015, volunteers worldwide sprang into action to map affected communities and roads to support relief efforts on the ground. But much work still lies ahead to put more families in the world’s most vulnerable communities on the mapbefore disaster strikes. Visit missingmaps.org to learn how you can get involved or to find a mapathon event. #InternationalServices

Wrap up the year with a lifesaving gift! There’s no time like the present to make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma. Find an opportunity to donate near you at rcblood.org/appt

Are you ready to be a part of #ExtraGive? It’s a day to celebrate all the good going on in our communities! #CentralPennsylvania

COVID-19 may cause this Thanksgiving to look different for many people. Before making plans, consider the level of risk for traditional activities, community levels of COVID-19 and the number of people at a gathering. Get more information: https://rdcrss.org/2Iv8m2X

As we head towards the holiday season, many people are still recovering from an unprecedented hurricane season, wildfires and other natural disasters. Your gift of any amount will save the day when the next emergency strikes. Whether that be help when a house burns down in your community, when someone needs CPR or a lifesaving blood transfusion, or when a family needs to contact a deployed service member in an emergency. Your gift supports the many urgent needs of the American Red Cross. To donate today, click here: https://www.redcross.org//holiday-donations-help-where-it/

Don't forget to set your alarm clock for tomorrow morning! Grab a cup of coffee and tune in at 8AM for the 16th Annual Berks County Heroes Breakfast. This year our event will be completely virtual, so we invite you to join us for an inspirational 30 minutes to start your morning off right. To view the event, log on to the event page at 8AM: www.redcross.org/berksheroes... A special thank you to our 2020 sponsors: UGI Utilities, Inc. WFMZ Stratix Systems Connors Investor Services Customers Bank East Penn Manufacturing Co. First Energy Penske UPMC Health Plan County of Berks Veterans Affairs, Custom Milling and Consulting, Fox Rothschild LLP The Law Firm of Leisawitz Heller, Maggs & Associates, Mosteller & Associates, Penn State Health St. Joseph - Reading, PA , RKL, Security First, Inc. Tompkins VIST Bank

On this Veteran's Day we honor those who have served our nation in the Armed Forces. There is a great opportunity to serve right where you are through the American Red Cross. Whether it's a virtual position from the comfort of your own home, or as a team member on the ground supporting local and national disasters, there is a place for you. To learn more about volunteer opportunities today, visit redcross.org/volunteernow

The Red Cross has been serving the military for nearly 140 years and has deployed alongside military in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish-American War. Learn more about the Red Cross work and how you can support our work! https://www.redcross.org/ab/our-work/military-families.html