Is your child ready for emergencies?
The American Red Cross is helping kids prepare for disasters using pillowcases. It’s part of the Red Cross’ new Pillowcase Project– a nationwide in-school and after-school program inspired by the events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Volunteers noticed students carried their valuables in pillowcases when they were evacuated and they used art therapy to help children cope.
The program is being tested for the first time in the nation right in Lancaster County, and volunteers from the red cross presented the program to 5th grade students at Burrowes Elementary School.
“Part of this program goes through coping skills for the students so if they find themselves in a disaster they know how to react, how to think, how to stay calm and how to take action,” Central P.A. Red Cross Communications Manager Kathy Smyser said.
The design and development of the pillowcases is funded by Disney.
There’s a goal to reach-out to 5 thousand students in Central P.A. by March 2015.