MESSAGE FROM PAUL SCHULZ
Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles

To echo a recent Los Angeles Times headline, “What’s up with all the earthquakes?” The April 14 earthquake in China’s Qinghai Province is the latest in a series of devastating quakes.

The best way to prepare for a quake is knowing what to do before, during and after a temblor. In this issue, learn more about personal preparation for the Big One, as well as how the Red Cross locally is preparing to feed large numbers of people after a quake and how local businesses are helping us train employees to become part of a volunteer reserve cadre.

Three months after the earthquake in Haiti, the American Red Cross has already spent more than $100 million to meet the urgent needs of survivors and anticipates providing assistance for the next three to five years. This would not be possible without the generous donations from millions of people including local performing artists, businesses and students.

At the Red Cross, we continue to strive to spend your donor dollars wisely and are in the process of reorganizing some of our local chapters into a regional partnership to increase operational efficiencies. As always, we appreciate your support and urge you to get prepared.