Media Advisory - Red Cross Centennial Celebrations at Yonge-Dundas Square

    
    Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
    8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
    

TORONTO , Sept. 23 /CNW/ - This year, the Canadian Red Cross is celebrating its official 100th anniversary. Although the Red Cross was active in Canada prior to 1909, it operated as a branch of the British Red Cross. For 100 years Canadians have had their own national organization focused on delivering humanitarian assistance and improving the lives of vulnerable people right across our country and around the world.

Celebrations have been ongoing across the country. In Toronto , the Red Cross will be marking the anniversary tomorrow at Yonge-Dundas Square from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. There will also be entertainment throughout the day.

Staff and volunteers will be providing information and giving demonstrations of the various programs and services the Red Cross provides in Toronto including:

    
    -   Disaster management
    -   First Aid
    -   Community Health Programs
    -   Humanitarian issues
    -   International Services including services that assist refugees and
        reunite residents of our city with family who have been separated due
        to disaster and conflict.
    

Interactive displays include:

Emergency Response Vehicle Tour, Interview Volunteers

Every year Red Cross volunteers respond to thousands of disasters across Canada , such as the Secord Avenue explosion and the tornado in Vaughan. Red Cross volunteers will take you on a tour of our emergency response vehicle, stocked with the items volunteers would use, such as cots, blankets and shelter set up materials. This is also an opportunity for media to talk with some of the volunteers who donate their time to Red Cross to assist in emergencies.

First Aid, How to Tie a Sling

With unintentional injuries being one of the leading causes of death in Canada , the Red Cross encourages all Canadians to take a first-aid course. Part of that course is to learn how to tie a sling, which helps to avoid the risk of further injuries and reduce pain.

First aid volunteers will teach you how to properly tie a sling. Volunteers will also be available to explain the contents of a first aid kid and why it is important that everyone have one at home.

For more information, visit www.redcross.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Jennifer Mayville, Communications Coordinator, Ontario Zone, Canadian Red Cross, Cell [phone], [email protected]; Karen Snider, Communications Advisor, Ontario Zone, Canadian Red Cross, [phone]