Send a Holiday Card to a Hero Via Red Cross

The Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign is under way through December 7

The American Red Cross is collecting and distributing cards that send words of encouragement, gratitude and cheer while military deployments and hospital stays may keep many of our nation’s heroes away from their families this holiday season, Through December 7, Americans can give something that means something by sending a card of thanks and support to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. “It just takes a moment to sign a card to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the military community make,” said local Red Cross officials. “You say thanks, we’ll do the rest.” The Red Cross is inviting the public to send messages of thanks and holiday cheer until December 7 by mailing them to: Holiday Mail for …

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Hurricane Shelters to Be Consolidated at Dieruff in Allentown

The Lehigh Valley's two current hurricane shelters will be shut down and a new shelter opened at Dieruff High School in Allentown.

The American Red Cross will consolidate its two Lehigh Valley shelters (on City Line Road and at Ag Hall) on Friday at 8 a.m. into one shelter at the Dieruff High School gymnasium, 815 N. Irving St. in Allentown. The shelter is open to residents and their pets in need of a safe place to stay due to prolonged power outages or damage to their homes from storm Sandy. The consolidation allows the Red Cross to turn the two original shelters back to their owners and also allows the agency to pool its resources at one location. Current residents at both shelters were briefed this afternoon about the move. Transportation to Dieruff will be provided by LANTA to current shelter residents, if needed. Lehigh Valley CART (County Animal Response Team) …

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Red Cross Will Open Shelter at Noon in Bethlehem

A Red Cross shelter will open at noon Monday in Bethlehem for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy

Red Cross Shelter Will Open at Noon Monday in Bethlehem

The first Lehigh Valley shelter for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy will open at noon Monday in Bethlehem.

The American Red Cross will open an evacuation shelter at noon Monday, Oct. 29, at 2121 City Line Road in Bethlehem to help residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. The shelter is a joint regional effort with Lehigh and Northampton counties emergency management services.   The Red Cross will provide cots and blankets, breakfast, snacks and beverages. The local Salvation Army will serve lunch and dinner. The building entrance and parking lot will be clearly marked with Red Cross signs. Anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family: People may bring their pets, which will be housed in a pet shelter co-located with the Red Cross shelter and operated by Lehigh Valley CART (County Animal …

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Get New Red Cross App for Your Smart Phone

Need life-saving information at your fingertips? The Red Cross has an app for that.

The American Red Cross has launched its official first aid app, putting free and simple lifesaving information right in the hands of smart phone users. This app is the first in a series to be created by the American Red Cross, the nation’s leader in first aid and emergency preparedness information. It’s also the only first aid app created or endorsed by the American Red Cross for use on both the Android and iPhone platforms. It gives instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid situations, and includes videos and interactive quizzes. Users who take quizzes can earn badges they can share with friends through social media to show off their lifesaving knowledge. Due to the rapid increase in smart phone users, the …

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Bethlehem Family Displaced by Fire

Red Cross is helping a family following a fire at their home Friday evening

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley was called at 6:32 p.m. Friday to respond to a fire that displaced a family of three from their single-family home at 1351 Biafore Avenue in Bethlehem (Hanover Township). The Red Cross provided temporary lodging, food and toiletry items to the family of two adults and one child. 

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West Bethlehem Family Displaced by Fire

Red Cross provided meals, clothing and a temporary place to stay.

  A family of four – two adults and two children – was displaced by a house fire in West Bethlehem, Wednesday evening, according to a news release from the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The Red Cross provided temporary lodging, food, clothing and toiletry items to the family that lives at 1542 Kelchner Road, where the fire took place. The organization said they responded to the fire at about 6 p.m. No further details on the fire were immediately available.

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Family of Four Displaced by Fire

Two adults and two children left homeless by blaze on Main Street.

A family of four was displaced by fire at 2100 Main St. in Bethlehem this afternoon, according to a news release issued by the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The Red Cross provided the family – two adults and two children – with vouchers for lodging meals and toiletry items. The fire happened at about 4:30 p.m. No other information was immediately available.

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Stay Safe During the Heat Wave

The Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley has provided the following tips to keep cool.

By 3 p.m. today, the temperature was up to 99 degrees, while the heat index was at 103. The heat wave that has been predicted for days has arrived. To help local residents stay safe, the Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley is advising adherence to the following safety tips: If you encounter someone who may be suffering from heat stroke--which can be life threatening--call 911 immediately. The symptoms of heat stroke include hot, red skin that may be moist or dry; vomiting; high temperature; and loss of consciousness. The symptoms of heat exhaustion, which precedes heat stroke, include heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue and cool, moist, pale or flushed skin.

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Investigators Target Source of Allentown Blast But City Still on Edge

Fire Chief fears effects of freeze, thaw on aging infrastructure.

Crews have identified the section of aging cast iron gas pipe that may have caused last Wednesday’s deadly explosion, but Allentown’s fire chief still isn’t sleeping easy. “This time of year, I’m concerned all the time as the ground constantly freezes and thaws,” Chief Robert Scheirer said Monday. “A water main break could lead to a gas main break. I’m always worried about it.” Scheirer said UGI crews responded “very quickly” to reports of two small gas leaks in the 600 block of North 11th Street on Sunday evening. Some residents were evacuated for about 10 minutes, he said. Scheirer gave reporters an update on the investigation after Governor Tom Corbett toured the disaster scene at 13th and Allen Streets Monday afternoon. The gas pipe …

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