American Red Cross Greater North Texas Region

As you light up the grill today use these safety tips to make sure your cookout doesn’t turn into a blaze🔥 👀Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited. 🚫Never grill indoors. Keep it out in the open and away from any buildings, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. ❌Make sure small children and pets stay away from the grill. ✅ Use the long-handled tools made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

This Memorial Day, we honor the U.S. service members who gave their lives to protect our country. We pause in remembrance and gratitude for their sacrifice. You can mark the day in meaningful ways: - Visit a national cemetery to place flags or flowers. - Pay your respects at a local war memorial. - Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time with a minute of silence. - Volunteer to support service members, veterans, and military families in your community.

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross 145 years ago, inspired by the global Red Cross network she encountered while traveling through Europe after the Civil War. She returned home determined to create an organization that would bring relief and protection to injured service members and communities in crisis. ❤️For 23 years, Clara led the Red Cross with compassion and purpose. Under her guidance, we responded to its first disasters at home and abroad, supported the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War, and helped lay the foundation for safety training programs that continue today. More than a century later, her legacy lives on in every act of service. We continue Clara’s mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering by: 🌍Helping families recover from disasters, here at home and around the world. 🪖Supporting members of the military and their families. 🩸Collecting and delivering lifesaving blood to patients in need. 🩹Teaching critical lifesaving skills like first aid and CPR.

For almost 60 years, one thing has remained constant for James Kavan: showing up. Since 1969, Kavan has dedicated his life to the American Red Cross. His journey began with a simple opportunity. At the time, Kavan was working as a defensive driving instructor when his boss left for another position. The company needed someone who was Red Cross trained, so he signed up to take an instructor class. What started as a practical decision quickly became something much bigger. That first class included eight firefighters and two civilians. Together, they became instructors, teaching first-aid and safety courses in their communities. Kavan began leading adult education classes, working with school bus companies and building a foundation that would carry him forward for decades. Over the years, his journey took him across the country. During his time with the Red Cross, Kavan has worked across multiple areas of service, teaching lifesaving skills, responding to disasters, delivering blood to hospitals and contributing to Service to the Armed Forces programs. “Helping people makes you a better person,” he said. “It makes your heart grow bigger.” 🔖Click here to read more about Kavan's lifetime of service: rdcrss.org/4twy2fY

Seas the day and help keep the blood supply strong! When you come to give blood or platelets May 18-31, you’ll snag a stripe‑tastic Red Cross beach towel — perfect for every sunny adventure — while they last. Your donation truly makes waves.🌊 🔖Book now: rcblood.org/appt

This #ThankfulThursday, we're lifting up the partners who make community resilience possible. After a tornado tore through Springtown, Texas, on April 25, Springtown First United Methodist Church partnered with the Red Cross North Texas Region to open its doors to displaced neighbors, proof that when organizations come together, communities can weather anything. "It is a testament to the resilience of the people in this community," Pastor Terre Duchesne McGill said. Thank you to every partner who shows up when it matters most. 💪 🔖Click here to read more: rdcrss.org/4doroCE

Wildfire Awareness Month and National Hurricane Preparedness Week both take place in May – making it an ideal time to prepare if you live in areas at risk for these disasters. Multiple areas of the country are expected to face an above-normal wildfire potential, including the High Plains, Southwest, much of the Southeast, the southeast Atlantic coast and Florida, northern California and the Inland Northwest. In the West, above-normal potential is expected to cover a broader area overall. While it’s too early for an official outlook from the National Hurricane Center, one early forecast calls for 4 to 7 hurricanes, including 2 to 4 major storms and 3 to 5 potential direct impacts to the U.S. 🔖Click the link for more information to help you get your household ready: rdcrss.org/4eDMi2T

Change often begins quietly: with a conversation, a decision, or a single act of service. For Carla and Jean Paul “JP” Signoret, it began with recognizing a need and choosing to step forward together. Today, the married couple serves as catalysts for change and ambassadors for the American Red Cross North Texas Region, using their voices, leadership and lived experience to raise awareness of blood donations among Latino/Hispanic communities. As Carla became deeply involved in community outreach through her company's Allstate employee impact groups, she noticed a recurring gap: critical safety, health and disaster-related information was not consistently reaching Spanish-speaking communities. “We started with fire safety,” she said. “Then we pivoted to disaster response. Again, we saw how language barriers created increased risk for our communities.” That awareness led her to the Red Cross, where she volunteered in communications focused on disaster preparedness. At the same time, JP volunteered with the disaster action team, responding to home and apartment fires. Together, they saw firsthand how vital culturally competent outreach could be. Over time, their roles expanded to include media, community relations and bilingual advocacy. “We kept asking ourselves, ‘Where is the need?’” The couple said. “Every time, we noticed the need was within the Latino community.” 🔖Click here to read how the Signorets are building a lifeline for the Latino community: rdcrss.org/4tyGMm2

Between final school rushes and summer prep, take a moment to make an impact. Come to give blood or platelets May 1-17 and get a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email from our partners at Amazon. A small act = big hope. Schedule today: rcblood.org/4bM1Rn5

Happy Mother's Day!💐 For all the good you bring into the world and the hope you provide us every day, thank you, Moms and Mother figures.🩷 Let us know why you celebrate your mother or mother figure! #MothersDay

She didn't set out to be a hero. She just started making calls.' When a tornado tore through Mineral Wells on April 28, Megan Hudson rushed to check on her parents and found two homes completely leveled at the top of her childhood hill. By the next morning, she was already connecting food trucks, ministries and the Red Cross. By that Sunday, 600 people had been fed. Read how one lifelong resident helped a small town find its footing. 🔗 rdcrss.org/48U1WDE

Today is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. Across the world, volunteers and staff from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement show up every day for people in crisis, responding in their own communities, helping neighbours, supporting families, and standing on the frontlines of emergencies that affect them too. Because beyond every emergency, every response, and every emblem, there is one truth: we are United in Humanity. #UnitedInHumanity

El alcance enfocado continúa para apoyar a los residentes desplazados por tornados que destruyeron o dañaron gravemente sus hogares. La Cruz Roja, en coordinación con socios locales, abrirá un Centro de Asistencia por Desastre en Mineral Wells para atender las necesidades de la comunidad. ⏰ 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., 7 y 8 de mayo 📍 Holiday Hills Country Club | 4801 US-180, Mineral Wells ☎️ Hasta el 15 de mayo, quienes necesiten asistencia pueden llamar al: 1-800-733-2767, presione 4 para Servicios de Ayuda en Desastres. Nuestros equipos están listos para ayudarle a dar su próximo paso hacia la recuperación ❤️

Focused outreach is ongoing to support residents displaced by tornadoes that destroyed or severely damaged their homes. The Red Cross, in coordination with local partners, will open a Disaster Assistance Center in Mineral Wells to address community needs. ⏰1 p.m. – 6 p.m. May 7 and May 8 📍Holiday Hills Country Club | 4801 US-180, Mineral Wells ☎️ Through May 15, those needing assistance can call: 1-800-733-2767, press 4 for Disaster Relief Services. Our teams are ready to help you take your next step toward recovery❤️

❤️Red Cross volunteer Mark Fitzgibbons has spent nearly two years meeting people on their worst days. After tornadoes struck several North Texas communities beginning April 25, he drove into Springtown and saw what resilience really looks like. 💪 🔗Learn more about Mark’s story at rdcrss.org/4tYpP5r

❤️Un Mensaje de Apoyo❤️ Mientras nuestras comunidades comienzan a reconstruirse tras las recientes tormentas, entendemos que este es un momento difícil para todos. Entendemos que las situaciones como estas pueden traer incertidumbre, ansiedad o agotamiento. No estás solo/a. ✅ Sé paciente contigo mismo/a y con los demás. Cada persona procesa las emociones de manera diferente. 📱 Comunícate con tu familia y tus amistades. Dar y recibir apoyo realmente importa. 🛏️ Cuida tu cuerpo: consume alimentos nutritivos, bebe agua y descansa lo suficiente. Si tú o alguien que amas necesita apoyo: • Llama o envía un mensaje de texto a la Línea de Ayuda en Crisis por Desastres (24/7): 1-800-985-5990 • Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o visita 988lifeline.org Cuídate y cuídense entre todos ❤️

❤️A Message of Support ❤️ As our communities begin to rebuild in the wake of recent storms, we understand this is a difficult time for everyone. Events like this can bring uncertainty, anxiety, or exhaustion, and that’s okay. You’re not alone. ✅ Be patient with yourself and others. Everyone processes emotions differently. 📱 Reach out to family and friends. Giving and receiving support truly matters. 🛏️ Take care of your body: eat nourishing foods, drink water, and get rest. If you or someone you love needs support: • Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline (24/7): 1 800 985 5990 • Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org Take care of yourself and each other❤️

🚨 EQUIPOS MÓVILES DE ALCANCE COMUNITARIO Y CENTROS DE ASISTENCIA EN DESASTRES ABIERTOS🚨 Equipos móviles están en el terreno en todos los condados afectados, brindando alcance comunitario enfocado a residentes que han sido desplazados por daños causados por la tormenta, ya sea graves o con viviendas destruidas. Ubicaciones de los Centros de Asistencia en Desastres (DAC) y equipos móviles: Mineral Wells 🚶 Equipos móviles: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍 United Way DAC | 2801 Highway 180 E., junto a Planet Fitness, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Runaway Bay 🚶 Equipos móviles: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Springtown 🚶 Equipos móviles: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍 Springtown United Methodist Church | 109 W 3rd St, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Weatherford 🚶 Equipos móviles: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍 Gimnasio de Couts Methodist Church | 802 N. Elm St., 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. ☎️ Quienes necesiten asistencia pueden llamar al: 1-800-733-2767, presione 4 para Servicios de Ayuda en Desastres. Nuestros equipos están listos para ayudarle a dar su próximo paso hacia la recuperación ❤️

🚨MOBILE OUTREACH AND DISASTER ASSISTANT CENTERS OPEN🚨 Mobile teams are on the ground in all impacted counties, providing focused outreach to residents who have been displaced by storm damage, that is major or destroyed. Disaster Assistant Center locations and mobile teams: Mineral Wells 🚶Mobile teams: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍United Way DAC | 2801 Highway 180 E. next to Planet Fitness, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Runaway Bay 🚶Mobile teams: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Springtown 🚶Mobile teams: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍Springtown United Methodist Church | 109 W 3rd St, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Weatherford 🚶Mobile teams: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 📍Couts Methodist Church gym | 802 N. Elm St., 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. ☎️ Those needing assistance, call: 1-800-733-2767, press 4 for Disaster Relief Services. Our teams are ready to help you take your next step toward recovery❤️