This year, frazzled shoppers searching for the “perfect” gift need look no farther than their local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Chapter offices in both north and south Santa Barbara County are currently selling a variety of inexpensive First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Kits and other items good to have on hand during emergency situations.
Popular items include the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit; the FR250 AM/FM Shortwave Radio, Flashlight, and Phone Charger; and the Red Cross Pocket First Aid Kit.
The Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit holds emergency supplies for up to three days. It comes in a durable, adult-size backpack, and includes a battery-powered flashlight and radio, emergency blanket, breathing mask, personal hygiene kit, and more.
The Red Cross Pocket First Aid Kit includes basic first aid supplies ideal for hikers and other outdoorsy people, including bandages, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, and an emergency contact card.
All available items and pricing can be seen online at redcrossstore.org. The Red Cross, however, doesn’t ship items—they have to be picked up at the Red Cross, Santa Barbara County chapter offices, located at 3030 Skyway Dr. in Santa Maria and 2707 State St. in Santa Barbara. All purchases help support the local American Red Cross Chapter.
For more information, call the Santa Maria office at 928-0778 or the Santa Barbara office at 687-1331.
—Amy Asman
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.