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News of interest to ARCRA members

  • 12/05/2022 8:28 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Have you been collecting thousands of credit card points that are going unused?  What about the hundreds of thousands of airline miles you accumulated?  Did you know that you can donate them to the Red Cross or another charity instead of letting them go unused? 

    • The three major rewards programs all currently have ways to use your rewards for charitable giving, but rates vary a lot.
    • Hotel and airline loyalty points can also be donated, typically through the program's redemption portal.

    Click here and learn more from the Motley Fool

    Click here to learn how to turn your unused credit card rewards into charitable donatio


  • 12/02/2022 6:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Join other ARCRA members on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 1:00 PM EDT.

    TOPIC:  Disaster Cycle Services Mission Adaptation Program Update
    PRESENTER:  Anne Palmer, Executive Director, Operations Policy &      Mission Adaptation

    Tens of millions of families throughout the U.S., many of whom are facing the threat of poverty, are at risk of being forced from their homes due to an increasing number of extreme weather disasters. Tragically, the rapidly accelerating pace of climate displacement is having a disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable communities that lack the resources needed to cope. As the nation’s largest provider of emergency sheltering, we know that extreme weather events exacerbate existing societal challenges—such as food insecurity, health care access, and the conditions and availability of housing—especially for the most vulnerable. These 3Hs—Hunger, Health, and Housing —are the focus of the Mission Adaptation Program. The Mission Adaptation Program is being launched to provide jurisdiction-wide support in eight counties/parishes across the country selected for social vulnerability and natural hazard risk factors. 

    Watch for an email from ARCRA with the ZOOM link.

  • 11/11/2022 11:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Tropical Storm Nicole is crossed Florida on November 9, with strong winds, heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge, leaving more than 241,000 customers without power and forcing evacuations in some areas.

    The American Red Cross is working with partners and officials to shelter and support people in the path of this storm while continuing to help thousands still trying to recover from Hurricane Ian. Nicole — the first hurricane to hit the U.S. in November in nearly 40 years — threatens some of the same areas heavily damaged just weeks ago by Hurricane Ian.

    Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane and weakened to a tropical storm over land. A major concern is the possibility of some coastal buildings collapsing due to beach erosion after the storms. Nicole will continue to weaken as it turns to the north, bringing several inches of rain to the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.

    November 10,  more than 1,500 people escaped Nicole’s wrath in more than 50 evacuation shelters across Florida, many of which were supported by the American Red Cross and  partners. More than 600 people are still in six Red Cross and partner shelters after Hurricane Ian. The Red Cross is working closely with emergency management across the state to support all current sheltering operations.

    Read more at redcross.org

  • 11/01/2022 8:01 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    More than a month after Hurricane Ian devastated large areas of Florida, hundreds of people remain in shelters and thousands more are depending on the American Red Cross and other organizations for food, water and other support.

    Ian destroyed or caused major damage to more than 12,000 Florida homes, and this number is expected to increase as residential assessments continue. Relief organizations, including the Red Cross, are striving to help people who don’t have homes to return to.

    In one of the largest disaster damage assessments the Red Cross has ever undertaken, Red Cross teams are conducting nearly 200,000 door-to-door detailed residential assessments, including how many homes have been affected and the extent of that damage. The critical information from this project will be used to plan what support — including financial assistance — families may need in the coming weeks and months. It will also be shared with other nonprofits and government agencies involved in Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.

    Red Cross workers have already connected with hundreds of families to help them plan for the future and make housing arrangements and are still working with people in shelters. These arrangements will look different for each person. For example, some people may choose to live with friends or family while they rebuild. Others will move into new apartments. And some will be helped through transitional sheltering or other housing programs offered by government agencies and other community organizations. Depending on individual circumstances, this may include financial assistance from the Red Cross.

    Ian is a major disaster that is bigger than any one group can manage on its own. The Red Cross will be part of the solution — but not the only solution — to help families recover. See photos and read the full story at redcross.org

  • 11/01/2022 7:58 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    More than 7 million people have fled across borders to seek safety since Russia deployed its military into neighboring Ukraine on February 24. Bombs and shelling have continued, deliberately targeting homes and civilian infrastructure in what could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. Ukrainian territorial gains in mid-September have exposed large-scale damages and an extreme need for humanitarian support in regions formerly held by Russian forces.

    Russia has since ordered its first mobilization of 300,000 reservist troops since World War II. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) calls for an immediate ceasefire, warning that further escalation of the conflict will drive up humanitarian needs and displace even more people from their homes.

    In order to preserve human life and dignity in Ukraine, the violence must end. World leaders must also ensure that international humanitarian law is upheld and that humanitarian actors are protected and maintain access to help those in need.  Read more at ICRC


  • 10/27/2022 12:31 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    To keep you, your family and your community healthy and safe this Halloween, here are some tips to consider.

    Trick-or-Treating

    • Make your trick-or-treaters visible to others.  Provide kids with reflective gear, flashlights and glow sticks to help make the route easier for them to follow and more visible to any vehicles on the roads. Adding reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets can help increase your trick-or-treater’s visibility to traffic.
    • Keep your hands clean. Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you get home.
    • Practice pedestrian safety. Look both ways before crossing streets (at street corners). Use sidewalks to walk to the next destination. If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the roadway, while facing traffic. Cross at the corners of the street, not between parked cars.
    • Be considerate of other people. Only visit homes with a porch light on and accept treats at the door.
    • Know where your trick-or-treaters are going and who they will be with. Have a parent or responsible adult accompany any younger children during Halloween activities.
    • Have an adult check all candy before eating.  Dispose of any loose, open candy, or candy that could be a choking hazard or any unfamiliar brands.

    Handing Out Candy

    • Do not hand out candy if anyone in the household is not feeling well or isolating. This helps keep everyone as healthy as possible.
    • Provide proper lighting and sweep clear your sidewalks and steps. Having good lighting and a clear path helps visitors see where they are walking and avoid getting hurt.

    Driving on Halloween

    • Watch for trick-or-treaters. Sometimes people may forget to look both ways before crossing streets, so make sure you pay attention while driving. Many areas practice daytime trick-or-treating on Halloween too and will have children on the streets throughout the entire day.


  • 10/07/2022 12:32 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This flu season, protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu shot. For better protection against flu, the CDC recommends people 65 or older get one of the three higher-dose flu vaccinesif available.

    The flu can be very serious if you're 65 or older. Getting your flu shot is the best way to reduce the risk of the flu. And if you do get sick with the flu, your symptoms likely won't be as bad or last as long.et Your Flu Shot

    Also, you can get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine, including the updated COVID-19 vaccine, at the same visit. Go to Vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots, including the high-dose flu vaccines, near you.

    NOTE: Medicare covers flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to you.


  • 09/30/2022 9:51 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Red Cross has changed the rule that limited the number of hours Red Cross retirees could work for pay at Red Cross.  The old rule limited retiree paid work to 1,000 hours per year to maintain their pension.   You now can be rehired and work unlimited hours and continue to receive your Red Cross pension.  The only requirement is that you remain retired for 90 days following the date of your retirement, your benefit effective date in the Retirement System.  The 1,000 hour  in a given calendar year rule was rescinded on January 1, 2022.

    Check out available positions.


  • 09/30/2022 9:32 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Did  you know that you really have two ages...your chronological age, which you celebrate on your birthday, and your biological age, which refers to how old you seem?

    You cannot change your chorological age...aren't we all perpetually 29-years-old!  But, you can improve your biological age through diet, exercise, and enhancing psychological state.  Other environmental factors like marital status and access to health care can also effect your biological age.  A study completed by Stanford University and Deep Longevity, a Hong-Kong based company and the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that sadness, loneliness, and general unhappiness can add an extra 1.65 years to your biological age. 

    Smoking, on the other hand, can add up to 1.25 years.

    More on the study here.

    More from Next Avenue on  navigating loneliness and isolation here.

  • 09/14/2022 11:31 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

     By Carol Miller ...updated from the article in the August eNewsletter

    When deciding to go back to work full time, rather than continue consulting, I felt I needed a few resources in the way of job search and interview coaching. I reached out to my college alumni association at Washington State University and to AARP and its charitable affiliate, AARP Foundation. Both were helpful, especially the staff, coaches and resources I found at AARP Foundation’s BACK TO WORK 50+ program. 

    Both offered free webinars for people deciding what to do next in their careers. AARP Foundation offered a webinar for all, and a free job search coaching program. I applied for and got into the 7 Step Job Search Coaching Program that helps workers tackle ageism, which is “alive and well” in hiring practices in the U.S. 

    I have to say that my age was a factor when undergoing the process of a resume update and job interviews. So many questions come up during this process, and BACK TO WORK 50+ had all the answers. On top of that, I was assigned an excellent coach who lives in the Washington, D.C., area, as do I.

    AARP Foundation also offers people over 50 a number of services that tie to unemployment — they check to see if you have your basic needs met, and help you find programs that help cover expenses for food, medicine, and housing.

    The program includes a Job Search Guide, which I received when signing up for the introductory webinar. Another workbook comes as part of the coaching program. You participate in two or three webinars and private online coaching sessions per week for three weeks, and then you can continue to access the weekly “Friyays” group coaching Zoom calls where members share their job search successes and challenges. The program includes everything — from job samples that match your skills and interests to coaching on the technology most jobs require now.

    The great news is that I found my new job as Senior Communications Advisor, Corporate & Foundation Partnerships, at a well-known and respected international development and humanitarian organization! My coach William was right there to help every step of the interview process as I was actively interviewing with three organizations.  For anyone feeling shy about using AARP Foundation’s services due to not wanting to advertise your age, get over it. It was the best move I’ve made in recent years. I’m more than ecstatic about my new job.

    Call 1-855-850-2525 or visit aarpfoundation.org/register to register for a free BACK TO WORK 50+ workshop with virtual interview tips, supportive coaching, and a jobseeker guide, hosted by AARP Foundation or by a community partner in your area.



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