Send a touch of home to the real heroes of America: Members of the armed forces, veterans and their families

For the third year in a row, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are working together to collect, sort and distribute holiday cards to service members, veterans and their families. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will accept cards from Nov. 2 to Dec. 7, 2009. So get your cards, pens and stamps ready.

Click here to find out how YOU can participate.

Central Illinois is full of unsung heroes. The Red Cross believes that it’s important to recognize those whose courage, caring and commitment make a difference in our community. That’s why, every year, the Red Cross honors outstanding local heroes at our Heartland Heroes Dinner.

We are seeking nominations for a Youth Hero, a Service Hero and a Citizenship Hero. Nominate your hero online now by clicking here. Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 15, 2010.

For more information about the Heartland Heroes Dinner, click here.
 

Danville-area residents, take home the treat of your choice and raise funds for a great cause during the Red Cross Specialty Dessert Auction, coming Friday, Nov. 20.

It's easy to participate!

• Tune in to WDNL-FM 102.1
• Listen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20
• Place your silent bids by calling (217) 442-1700

Feel that chill in the air? Winter is on its way to central Illinois. Your local Red Cross wants you to take a moment and prepare for the inclement weather ahead. Simply select a topic below from our online Health & Safety Tip Library:

• Avoid and treat frostbite and hypothermia.
• Prevent home heating fires.
• Learn about holiday decoration hazards.
• Find out what to do during a winter storm.

Teachers and youth educators, we created a special place just for you! Get the materials you need to fulfill your disaster preparedness and health & safety curriculum. With TeacherNET, simply create a login and gain access to handy materials and activity sheets for your classroom. You can:

• Browse course descriptions of a variety Red Cross-instructed classes
• Request free Red Cross-instructed classes for your students
• Access ideas to complement your lesson plans
• Keep up to date on Red Cross programs designed for youth

Our chapter was founded in 1916. But we’re not too old for the Internet! We want to make it easy for you to connect with us online.Take a peek around. We've stocked this site with information, timely tips and interactive features.

Visit our Interactive section, and you’ll find:

• Live feeds featuring Flickr photos and Twitter updates.
• Videos and games.
• PDF downloads of at-your-fingertips preparedness information.
• Online learning opportunities.

Thank you for visiting redcrossillinois.org, the online home of the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter. In order to better serve our community, we've recently upgraded our Web site. Please take a peek around!

While you're here, be sure to check out our homepage newsstand with tabs featuring feeds of the latest local, national and international headlines -- from Peoria to Pakistan, Champaign to China, Danville to Dubai. Your Red Cross chapter is part of the American Red Cross chapter network and the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.

Read about what's happening in your community and beyond by clicking the local, national and international tabs below.