Red Cross, Price Chopper Announce Emergency Preparedness Initiative

SCHENECTADY, NY (09/08/2008)(readMedia)-- The American Red Cross and Price Chopper have announced that they will work together to help prepare families and individuals for emergencies during September (designated as National Preparedness Month by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security).

During National Preparedness Month, Price Chopper will sell Red Cross Basic Emergency Preparedness with First Aid Kits at all 115 of stores stores in their six-state area, with $2 of each kit sold donated to the local Red Cross Chapter. The compact Emergency Preparedness Kit contains essential emergency preparedness and first aid supplies for one person, including an emergency blanket, light stick, whistle, "call 911" banner and complete first aid kit, and can be kept at home, the office or in a car.

In addition, Red Cross Chapters will teach free emergency preparedness courses in 30 Price Chopper stores throughout the six states on Tuesday, September 16 or Wednesday, September 17 (for local course information, please contact your local Red Cross Chapter). The classes will be open to the general public, and attendees will learn simple steps that can help keep them safe and ready during emergencies such as fires, extreme weather and floods, power outages, terrorist threats and pandemic illness outbreaks.

"At the Red Cross, we help people prepare for, prevent and respond to emergencies," said Gary Striar, CEO of the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York, the Chapter responsible for coordinating the initiative with Price Chopper and 26 area Red Cross Chapters. "Our partnership with Price Chopper speaks directly to that mission, and has the potential to help make thousands of people safer during emergencies. We are proud that this initiative has developed so positively, and we're thankful to Price Chopper for supporting the Red Cross and our communities in this way."

"Emergency preparedness is a universal message that has meaning for each and every one of us. And working with the American Red Cross to help deliver this message is both a privilege and a responsibility," said Mona Golub, Vice President of Public Relations and Consumer Services for Price Chopper Supermarkets. We are pleased to host official Red Cross preparedness classes in our stores as well as to sell compact emergency kits for home and car that equip the buyer while benefiting the local efforts of the Red Cross," she added.

A recent study conducted by the American Red Cross revealed that only 7% of Americans have taken any steps at all to prepare for emergencies. The American Red Cross recommends the following three steps for personal emergency preparedness:

  1. Get a Kit: Buy or assemble an emergency preparedness kit for yourself and your family. Make sure you include enough nonperishable food, water, clothing and medications for each person for at least three days. Also assemble personal kits to keep in your office and car.
  2. Make a Plan: Create plans with your loved ones on how to contact each other during disasters. Decide on meeting places in case of home fires or area evacuations. Conduct fire drills at your home at least twice a year.
  3. Stay Informed: Learn about the types of emergencies that could happen in your area. Find out how you can get information during disasters, such as TV news or by listening to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather on a hand-crank or battery operated radio. Get trained in life-saving skills such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first aid, so that you will know how to treat injuries in an emergency situation.

National Preparedness Month was created in 2003 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to remind individuals across the nation to take steps to be prepared for all types of emergencies, whether natural or man-made.

About Price Chopper

Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates more than 115 Price Chopper grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The family-owned company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service and cooperative associate relations. Golub's approximately 24,000 associates collectively own 51% of the company's privately held stock. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com.

About the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York

ARCNENY helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Last year, more than 1,100 residents of the Capital Region and surrounding areas were provided free, emergency assistance by ARCNENY after disasters such as fires, floods, and power outages. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood from the American people to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

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