American Red Cross

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The local disaster services chapter of the American Red Cross has a new name because of a national restructuring of the agency.  The 29-county Greater Ozarks chapter and the 11-county South East Missouri chapter merged into the Southern Missouri chapter. The new chapter has four areas within its region: Southwest Area (SWMO) with physical offices in Joplin and Nevada providing service to Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, St. Clair and Vernon counties; Regional Headquarters Area (RHQ)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross will open three more shelters on Wednesday afternoon.    In Mississippi County, they’re at First Baptist Church, 205 Pearl Street, East Prairie; and First Baptist Church, 301 S. Main, Charleston.  In Stoddard County, it’s at Lighthouse Christian Center Ministries, 13900 Missouri 25 North, Dexter. Anyone in need of emergency assistance can contact the Greater Ozarks Chapter at 866-206-0256 in Springfield or the Southeast Missouri Chapter in Cape Girardeau at 888-335-9471.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The stars of NASCAR turn speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour at theKansas Speedway outside of Kansas City. For an afternoon, you can turn laps too in your own car, but at much slower speeds.  The track is hosting Laps for Relief to benefit the American Red Cross and disaster relief Friday June 24 from 2-7 p.m.  NASCAR will allow you to drive three laps behind a pace car at speeds of 65 miles per hour for a $25 donation....

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  -- The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross says Wiseguys Screen Printing of Springfield donated $3,800 for Joplin disaster relief.  Chandler Hoovens of Wiseguys Screen Printing, and Ronald Clark, assistant professor of Marketing at Missouri State University, were present at the chapter on Wednesday for a check presentation.  The two gentlemen worked together to come up with an idea to help support the relief efforts...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The American Red Cross has released some startling numbers regarding deadly house fires this year. In the first four months of 2013, response teams have dealt with ten fire deaths in Southern Missouri.  That equals the number during all of last year. The Red Cross says there are no working smoke alarms in 65-percent of fatal house fire cases.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., -- The Mark Chapman band, from southwest Missouri, is helping the tornado-ravaged community of Joplin. In just a few days, the band's song, entitled "Where Do You Go (If You Can't Go Home?)," has been downloaded from iTunes more than 40,000 times and is now in the top three country songs of the week. Chapman put the song on iTunes as a way to raise money for the American Red Cross, victims memorial funds, and other charities dedicated to rebuilding Joplin, Mo; One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the song will go toward relief efforts.

JOPLIN, Mo -- A new resource center has opened in hopes of getting people housing, financial, and job help. The MARC --Multi Agency Resource Center -- opened its doors on May 29 at The Bridge. The Bridge is a 64,000 square foot youth center. Now it is a command center for more than 20 different agencies. It is in conjunction with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Missouri Emergency Management. It is located at 3405 S. Hammons Blvd in Joplin. It will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm every day until the need dies down.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The American Red Cross has served more than 152,000 meals and snacks to survivors, volunteers and emergency workers since the tornado hit on May 22 in Joplin. Helping people recover from natural disasters is just part of the job. This weekend, runners and walkers can lace up to help others and get prepared in the Red Cross Run for "Red"iness. Joann Moore with the Red Cross appeared on Ozarks Today on Monday morning to talk about the run. The Run for "Red"iness is Saturday, June 11, at 7:30 a.m. It starts at the CoxHealth Fitness Center at the corner of Lynn Street at Jefferson Avenue in Springfield.

The tornado in Moore, Oklahoma has killed 24 people, but many who survived have lost everything. We are compiling a list of reputable organizations that you can donate to and help the people affected by the storm. RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS / NONPROFITS Convoy of Hope: Text "Convoy" to 50555 to make an automatic $10 donation. The organization's website also has a page dedicated to donations for the victims in Moore. The Salvation Army: Text "STORM" to 80888 or donate using the Moore tornado donation form on the Salvation Army's website.

SPRINGFIELD,Mo--American Red Cross leaders say they are at a critical need for donations. A weak economy and record high flood waters means funds are low and resources are stretched. To put this need into perspective, volunteers say they need more help now than they did back with the 2007 Ice Storm. In order to best serve flood victims, Red Cross leaders say they need your help. Toni Adams has volunteered with the Red Cross for the last 20 years. She spends her time filing cases and talking to disaster victims.

The tornado in Moore, Oklahoma has killed 24 people, but many who survived have lost everything. We are compiling a list of reputable organizations that you can donate to and help the people affected by the storm. RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS / NONPROFITS Convoy of Hope: Text "Convoy" to 50555 to make an automatic $10 donation. The organization's website also has a page dedicated to donations for the victims in Moore. The Salvation Army: Text "STORM" to 80888 or donate using the Moore tornado donation form on the Salvation Army's website.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The American Red Cross has released some startling numbers regarding deadly house fires this year. In the first four months of 2013, response teams have dealt with ten fire deaths in Southern Missouri.  That equals the number during all of last year. The Red Cross says there are no working smoke alarms in 65-percent of fatal house fire cases.

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- A retired mechanical engineer is changing lives in the Ozarks.  Ralph McClurg collects donated medical equipment -- and then puts crutches, walkers and wheelchairs into the hands of people who need tastes of freedom -- people like Matt Gann. Gann is a man with angels on his shoulder.  He's got challenges, but he says he probably shouldn't even be here. "I found it hard to maneuver around some of our doorways.  They're a little bit smaller than most," Gann said.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- First responders are getting ready for the winter storm on Thursday.  One place where preparations were underway on Wednesday is the American Red Cross warehouse on West Bypass. Most of the Red Cross' cars are usually parked outside, but they were inside on Wednesday so volunteers can leave as soon as they get a call.  They won't have to worry about ice on vehicles. All hands were on deck and Red Cross leaders say they are more prepared now than ever before, thanks to that ice storm we had a few years ago. Red Cross leaders say they now have a life saver: a generator to power their warehouse and offices, something that they did not have in January 2007.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The local chapter of the American Red Cross is asking the public to be prepared for a winter storm forecasted to hit the Springfield area Wednesday and Thursday. The Red Cross recommends the following: Assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit. Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The American Red Cross chapter in Springfield says a Red Cross pickup that was recently stolen has been recovered -- but it's in bad shape. Nigel Holderby with the Red Cross says Springfield police recovered the truck Sunday. Holderby says the truck was wrecked and abused, and the Red Cross is working with their insurance company to see if the truck can be fixed. The Red Cross expressed their thanks to Springfield police and local media for helping get the word out on the stolen truck.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An early morning fire destroyed one home and badly damaged another Monday.  At least half a dozen people were inside when the fire started.  In total, the fire affected three families.  One Springfield firefighter suffered minor burns. "They're my life.  I live for them.  I moved here because of them.  They're all I have," said Mary Farmer, 31, a single mom. Farmer had only been in Springfield a few weeks.  She and her three children were temporarily staying with family when a fire at the home at 918 N. Concord Ave. spread to their home.  Farmer has 6-year-old twins, Ni'Aisa and Ni'Avien, and a 3-year-old daughter, Fontasia.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- More than 30 volunteers from the American Red Cross' Greater Ozark Region are in the Gulf Coast region helping with the aftermath of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Isaac.  Others are ready to go, if needed.  Some of the equipment, including shower trailers and other basic supplies that are stored in a warehouse in Springfield, could be sent to Louisiana and other states. “This is all the water that we have, ready on standby for anything that should happen here.

SPRINGFIELD, -- Many from the Ozarks are heading in the storm's path, by choice. Seventeen people from the American Red Cross are in route to Florida. Dozens are on standby if there's a need. These people will help setup shelters for those displaced by Isaac. Two volunteers, Peggy and Alfred Ichord were finishing up some paper work Saturday morning at the Red Cross office in Springfield before getting on a plane. They have gone through training and are ready to go.  They have been married for more than thirty years.