June 2014

If you're planning a trip to Walmart in your near future, you may want to consider going tomorrow (June 28^th) when the company shows its gratitude for 20 years in Canada. Tomorrow (Saturday), Walmart Canada is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Canada by holding Supporting Families in Need Day in Walmart stores across the country. 

This warm summer weather brings all of us outdoors, which unfortunately includes mosquitoes, wasps and black flies. While most insect bites are harmless, for children and adults who have severe allergies, insects are more worrisome. So, with the arrival of summer, remember some basic prevention and what to do in case of allergic reactions.

For the past month, the Homs branch of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent with support from the IFRC has been delivering food aid and helping rebuild destroyed communities in Syria that had been besieged by conflict.

As rain continues to fall on the already saturated ground throughout Southern Alberta this week, Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief to the many individuals and families impacted by rising rivers and wide-spread flooding. Red Crossers are in communities, mobilizing supplies such as cots, hygiene kits and blankets, assisting with a reception centre and shelter, and registering evacuees to ensure they receive the help they need. The effects of flooding can be devastating, but there are ways for individuals to help keep themselves safe.

As the Alberta Flood anniversary approaches, we at Red Cross are naturally focused on the work still ahead of us. That’s because we know hundreds of families are still struggling to recover.  Even now, people arrive at our offices with heartbreaking stories. Often, their financial credit is maxed out and they don’t know where else to turn. In the midst of this need, it can be tough to take time to recognize everything that’s already been accomplished during the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Flood response. But of course, that’s equally important. So today, Red Cross says a special thank you to all the staff and volunteers who work so hard to help others.