Jefferson College of Health Sciences at Carilion Clinic and the American Red Cross (Virginia Mountain Region Chapter) are partnering on The Pillowcase Project, a free event to help children ages 8-11 (grades 3-5) prepare for disasters, such as house fires, floods and tornadoes.
The Pillowcase Project will take place on Saturday, March 28, at Jefferson College of Health Sciences, 101 Elm Ave., SE, Roanoke, Registration begins in the third floor lobby at 1 p.m. and the event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Children will participate in one 45 minute session, with sessions beginning at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. All children ages 8-11 are welcome at this event!
Registration is required by contacting Paula Poston by Monday, March 23, 2015 at (540) 520-2299
The Pillowcase Project, sponsored by Disney, was originally created by the American Red Cross in 2013 to help children in New Orleans prepare for disaster events. The program has since been implemented by several Red Cross chapters across the country, teaching elementary school students emergency preparedness and coping skills.
Children participating will receive tools and information to help their families create an Emergency Communications Plan, Emergency Contact Cards, Home Fire Escape Plan and Home Emergency Supplies Kit. All of these items can be taken home at the end of the event in a customized pillowcase that the children can color and decorate.
Snacks and drinks will be provided for the children during the program and the Red Cross’ Ernie the ERV will be on hand.
The goal of the program is to raise awareness and knowledge about personal preparedness while also emphasizing the importance of proactive household and community measures. This project seeks to improve individual self-sufficiency by providing students with information and tools to better handle stressful events so that they can take more responsibility over their own personal preparedness.
Jefferson College students in the Health Sciences Program’s Service Learning in Community Health class are organizing the project as part of their curriculum.
About Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Jefferson College of Health Sciences is a private higher education institution that “prepares, within a scholarly environment, ethical, knowledgeable, competent and caring healthcare professionals.” The College focuses on providing healthcare education and is an affiliate of Carilion Clinic. Founded in 1914 as the Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing, Jefferson now provides more than 1,000 students with opportunities to become part of the healthcare profession, serving communities from southwest Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. The school’s graduates are building healthier tomorrows in our region and across the country every day.
About the Red Cross (Virginia Mountain Region)
The Virginia Mountain Region of the American Red Cross is comprised of eight chapters that cover 50 counties across the western portion of Virginia. The combined strength of the chapters enables our employees and corps of volunteers to deliver vital Red Cross services to the communities we serve.
