This September, whether you shop for extra canned food, designate an out-of-area emergency contact or buy a battery-powered radio, any small step towards getting prepared for disasters could make you a big winner.
The Oregon Red Cross and Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness will host a "#just1thing" social media contest as part of National Preparedness Month. Oregonians who tweet one simple thing they're doing to get prepared will have a chance to win Red Cross emergency supplies, valued at approximately $100 per kit.
While anyone can share anything they're doing to get prepared at any time, each week of September will also have a special theme and corresponding prize:
Sept. 1-10: Children
Sept. 13-17: Families
Sept. 20-24: Workplace
Sept. 27-30: Pets
To participate, send a tweet to @RedCrossPDX (www.twitter.com/RedCrossPDX) and use the hashtag #just1thing. All participants are welcome, however only Oregon residents are eligible for prizes, to be awarded via random drawing. The contest is free and there are no requirements to purchase anything to participate. For details, visit www.oregonredcross.org/just1thing.
"National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort to encourage all of us to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in our homes, businesses and communities," said Mike Harryman, Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager. "Since social media tools are increasingly used to respond to disasters, why not also use them to get prepared?" In Oregon, the most likely disasters and emergencies include floods, wildfires, extreme weather events and earthquakes.
Other activities are planned for National Preparedness Month in Oregon. For more information on preparedness, see the Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness web site (www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/preparedness/index.shtml), www.oregonredcross.org and www.ready.gov.
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In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster an average of 10 times a week; supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon's blood; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; offers transportation to seniors and the disabled; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.
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