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As it continues to respond to an unusually high number of fires in its coverage area and looks to the possibility of a busy severe weather season, the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross will place special emphasis on preparing itself and its community this month, known as Red Cross Month.
President George W. Bush designated March as American Red Cross Month as part of a tradition dating back to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The month is known as a time to honor the American Red Cross and reflect on its contributions to the country.
For the Central Plains Chapter, it's also a time to push for public involvement in its programming and begin its annual fundraising efforts, said Donna Titman, regional executive director.
On Saturday, Red Cross chapters throughout Central Nebraska will host one-time, free adult CPR/AED training classes.
CPR Saturday classes are geared toward those who have not had the training before. In Grand Island, the classes will also be offered in Spanish. Other training sites around the Grand Island area include Hastings, Broken Bow, Burwell, Kearney, Sargent, Shelton, Cairo, Giltner, Ord and Ravenna.
Class sizes are limited, so participants are asked to make reservations by calling their local Red Cross office.
The Central Plains Chapter has organized CPR Saturday for a number of years to encourage more people to learn the skill, Titman said.
"We do it because we believe it's important to be able to save a life," Titman said. "And emergencies and disasters happen, and you don't have any warning ... It's important to be prepared before it happens."
Also on Saturday, Slumberland Furniture in Grand Island will host its first Texas Hold'em card tournament from 6 to 9 p.m. The entry fee is $25, and proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.
On March 19, the Central Plains Chapter will kick off its annual Heroes Campaign fundraiser. The chapter is totally supported by the generosity of Central Nebraska's residents, Titman said, making those who donate heroes for the organization and the people the Red Cross assists.
Donations will be especially important for the nonprofit organization this year, as the local Red Cross has been responding to a "highly unusual" number of fires, Titman said. While the chapter typically responds to 40 to 50 fires per fiscal year; this year they've already responded to 66 fires, and there's still three months left. The spike in fires has strained the chapter's budget, Titman said.
After a quiet severe weather season last year, the Red Cross and local emergency managers are anticipating this year could be a much more active season, Titman said. The Central Plains Chapter is working to revamp its disaster plan for this year and ensure it will have enough money to provide whatever help is needed.
Titman said she hopes people will be able to take time out of their busy schedules this month to think about the Red Cross and how they can become better prepared.
"Red Cross' mission is so universal to everybody," Titman said. "It's just a good time to say, 'Let's think about it,' because together we can be something greater than all of us."
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