Residents Still Needing Gently-Used Furniture

WINSTON-SALEM, NC, July 31, 2009 – In partnership with the local American Red Cross, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina will accept gently-used furniture for the families of the recent apartment fires until Friday, August 14, 2009.

The items needed and that will be accepted are: dressers; dinette tables and chairs; couches; sitting chairs; nightstands; coffee tables; lamps; and full-size bed frames. No box springs or mattresses will be accepted.

Furniture donations for the families of the recent apartment fires can be made at the Goodwill Store at 2701 University Parkway. Pickup of furniture is not available. Donors must specify that their furniture donation is intended for the Red Cross. The hours are Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Clients will need to obtain a voucher from the American Red Cross before they go over to Goodwill to pick out furniture.

Preparing for Floods

Know What to Expect

* Know your area’s flood risk–if unsure, call your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office, or planning and zoning department.
* If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
* Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.

Reduce Potential Flood Damage By . . .

* Raising your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
* Consult with a professional for further information if this and other damage reduction measures can be taken.

Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop

* A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
* A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Flash Floods Can Take Only a Few Minutes to a Few Hours to Develop

* A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area.
* A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon.

Prepare a Family Disaster Plan

* Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
* Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing . . .

* First aid kit and essential medications.
* Canned food and can opener.
* At least three gallons of water per person
* Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
* Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
* Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
* Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)
* Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

When a Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .

* Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
* Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

When a Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .

* Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

When a Flash Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .

* Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.

When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .

* Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
* Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
* If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

9TH ANNUAL QUEN TAYLOR BLOOD DRIVE

“You just don’t know how good it feels when you are laying in a hospital and see that unit of blood coming through the door. Giving blood is the most wonderful thing you can do, everyone can try. The recipient can’t duplicate the gift they have received…the gift of life.”
– Quen Taylor

The American Red Cross, Bank of North Carolina , 600-1200 WSJS, 104 WTQR and Wake Forest University Athletics are proud to sponsor the 9th Annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive on August 4, 2008. The drive will take place at First Baptist Church of Kernersville, 401 Oakhurst Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Quen Taylor may not be a name that you recognize but his voice is undeniably familiar from over the years. Taylor was the voice of Wake Forest Basketball for over 22 years, did voiceovers for WXII for eight years and was the official voice of WSJS for over 10 years. He also was heard on WTQR as Mike Weaver and 94.5 as himself before his death in 2001 from leukemia.
Taylor was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998 and doctors told him he had only five months to live. When his good friend Wayne Mabe visited him in the hospital, he asked Taylor if there was anything he could do for him. Taylor simply replied. “Make sure people keep giving blood.” Wayne decided that was exactly what he would do and he began working on a blood drive in honor of his dear friend.
Taylor never let his illness stop him from doing the things that he loved. He was so steadfast about not missing a Wake Forest game that he would often leave the hospital, go directly to the Coliseum, announce the game and return to his hospital bed immediately following the game. Taylor’s story is one that inspires and motivates us all to reach for the seemingly unreachable dreams even when the odds are against you. He had a dream that people would continue to donate blood so that there is always a ready supply for anyone who needs it.
“This is the 9th annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive and his memory lives on with the help of the town of Kernersville. Kernersville residents have really taken over this drive as a community drive. Many
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9th Annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive
American Red Cross 2

donors do not know who Quen was or why the drive is named for him, but they continue to come out and donate blood. My family is so grateful,” says Barbara Taylor, the widow of Quen Taylor.
If you would like to help fulfill Taylor’s dream, please take the time to make a blood donation at this drive. If you are 17 years or older or 16 years old with a parent’s written permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and in general good health, then you are an eligible blood donor. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Bank of North Carolina at 996-1776. Please bring a photo I.D.
Thanks to Wake Forest Athletics, each presenting donor will be given either a WFU basketball or football ticket while supplies last.
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Red Cross Assumes All Hotel Lodging Cost for Alder’s Point

Winston-Salem, July 28, 2009 - After fourteen days, the Union Baptist Church Fire-Friend Fund, which was providing hotel stays for some residents at one hotel, is depleted. As of July 28, the local American Red Cross will pick up the costs of these hotel rooms along with the rooms of the other hotels it has been paying for. Residents of Alder’s Point will stay in the hotels for a few more days until all have found more permanent housing. The Red Cross volunteers continue to serve meals to the residents every day and are working with them on a daily basis with recovery plans.

The Red Cross is expecting this disaster to cost at upwards of $34,000.

People can help the individuals and families affected by disasters like this apartment fire by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

Contributions can be made to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or by calling (336) 724 – 0511.

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Local Goodwill Store Accepting Gently-Used Furniture

WINSTON-SALEM, NC, July 24, 2009 – In partnership with the local American Red Cross,
Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina will accept gently-used furniture for the families of the recent apartment fires until Friday, August 14, 2009.
The items needed and that will be accepted are: dressers; dinette tables and chairs; couches; sitting chairs; nightstands; coffee tables; lamps; and full-size bed frames. No box springs or mattresses will be accepted.
Furniture donations for the families of the recent apartment fires can be made at the Goodwill Store at 2701 University Parkway. Donors must specify that their furniture donation is intended for the Red Cross. The hours are Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Clients will need to obtain a voucher from the American Red Cross before they go over to Goodwill to pick out furniture.
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Jackie Johnson Blood Drive