The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois is launching its Light Up Red Campaign on April 26 where businesses and organizations in Chicago will light their buildings red in collaboration with two major Red Cross initiatives; the Annual Heroes Breakfast and our life-saving campaign to install free smoke alarms, “Sound the Alarm.” Buildings will remain lit April 26- May 3.
The Red Cross will kick off “Sound the Alarm” on April 27 in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood with a goal of installing 450 smoke alarms. Red Cross workers also provide home fire safety education information to home owners. Having a working smoke alarm reduces your chances of dying in a home fire by nearly 50%. “Sound the Alarm” will continue in North Lawndale on May 18 and with other events throughout northern Illinois.
On May 1, the Red Cross will celebrate individuals and groups for acts of bravery, dedication and service to the community at the organization’s annual Heroes Breakfast at the Chicago Hilton.
Among the landmark buildings and organizations slated to participate in lighting the Chicago skyline red April 26- May 3 for the Red Cross include:
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Chicago designated the Chicago Red Cross as the charity to support April 26- May 3 through the Illuminate Chicago Lighting program. For more than a century, the Chicago Red Cross has assisted those in need before and during times of emergency across the region. When there is no disaster in the news, the Chicago Red Cross is still working to help families who are impacted by various emergencies such as home fires and other disasters.
HOW TO HELP: The Red Cross depends on financial donations to provide immediate disaster relief. Help people affected by severe storms, fires and flooding by visiting redcross.org or calling 1- 800-RED CROSS. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
DONATE BLOOD: The Red Cross also has a critical need for blood and platelet donations to help meet patient needs. The Red Cross asks eligible individuals to make an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties in Northern Illinois including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter at @ChicagoRedCross.