National Preparedness Month, federal contract, Hunger Action Month

During National Preparedness Month in September, the Central and Southern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to prepare for worsening extreme weather affecting our communities. Severe weather is part of a worsening national trend in which the American Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.

For National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross encourages families to take three lifesaving actions — get a kit, make a plan and be informed — to help protect against local emergencies. Follow safety tips now at redcross.org/prepare. You can also deliver relief and care to families facing the impact of climate disasters by becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

The Red Cross has seen a significant shortfall in blood and platelet donations over the last month, making it hard to keep pace with the need for blood products. Blood and platelet donations that go uncollected due to climate-related events, such as hurricanes, wildfires and extreme heat, can put further strain on the national blood supply. As extreme weather events are worsening, the Red Cross is seeing that translate into more blood drive cancellations. In 2022, more than 1,300 blood drives were canceled due to weather — about 23% higher than the average of the prior nine years.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brothers Body & Equipment of Galion has won a federal contract award for $313,199 from the U.S. Navy, Parris Island, South Carolina, for a 53-foot custom tandem axle trailer.

COLUMBUS — Sept. 1 marks the beginning of Hunger Action Month. Throughout the month, Columbia Gas of Ohio will partner with local agencies around the state to raise awareness about food insecurity and urge others to take action to end hunger in their communities.

Columbia Gas has donated more than $1 million in contributions this year alone through the NiSource Charitable Foundation to local nonprofits dedicated to helping Ohio customers who need help meeting their needs.

Columbia Gas team members will volunteer with organizations throughout Ohio, including Children's Hunger Alliance, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Second Harvest Food Bank, Connecting Kids to Meals, LifeCare Alliance, Springfield Soup Kitchen, and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Throughout September, Columbia Gas will leverage social media to raise awareness of these organizations and encourage others to share their stories.

In addition to tackling food insecurity, Columbia Gas wants to help those who may have fallen behind on their energy bills. Several flexible payment programs are available to help get back on track. More information on these programs is available at ColumbiaGasOhio.com. Customers can also call 1-800-344-4077.

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum