United Way NSV: Greater Shenandoah Valley Red Cross

Our conversation today with Kaycee Childress, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley included Stacy McFarland, Executive Director for the Greater Shenandoah Valley Red Cross. Stacy educated us on several different programs and services offered by her organization and explained her chapter's coverage area: Washington County, MD, the five counties in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and all of the top of Virginia including Shenandoah, Page, Warren, and Clarke Counties plus the City of Winchester. We discussed the overarching mission of the American Red Cross - to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. She told us that donors come in three forms: time, blood, and money.  We talked about their response efforts in disaster relief situations such as house fires and flooding and the protocols that come with their response. She told us of the value and importance of volunteers in these situations and encouraged listeners to reach out to Red Cross when faced with a disaster. We talked about their upcoming fire prevention campaign in partnership with the Winchester Fire Marshal on April 15 where they will be distributing/installing free smoke alarms in homes.  We also discussed their CPR certification classes as well as classes that don't require certification. They can be done in-person or in a hybrid version which allows the classroom, quizzes, and tests to be done online with final hands-on demonstrations in person. She also explained how performing CPR has changed over the years and why.  Of course, our conversation included the importance of giving blood. She told us of the need and explained how to sign up for blood drives happening in our area.  Learn more about volunteering, donating, and find a blood drive on their website: https://www.redcross.org/  Before we wrapped up our conversation, Kaycee gave details for the Air Mattress Drive hosted by Women United. Air mattresses (and pumps) along with twin sheet sets, blankets, comforters, and pillows will be collected through March 6 and then distributed through local agencies to families in need. You can find more information including a list of drop-off locations here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/mattress You can also order directly from their Amazon wish list here: https://bit.ly/3K57Y8B  Kaycee also gave us detail for the Annual Meeting that will happen on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Registration is required and the event is nearly full, so she encouraged listeners to call the United Way NSV office to see if there is space available: 540-536-1610. She reminded us that the Rubbermaid Sale is happening this Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9am - 12pm in the Belk parking lot at Apple Blossom Mall.