The Great California ShakeOut in October 2009 involved nearly 6.9 million Californians through a broad-based outreach program, media partnerships, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. The drill will be held statewide annually on the third Thursday of October, and is organized by the Earthquake Country Alliance (www.earthquakecountry.org).  The 2010 Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill will be at 10:21 AM on October 21.
 
A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared.  The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes).  ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.

Not just any drill will accomplish this; it needs to be big.  It must inspire communities to come together.  It must involve children at school and parents at work, prompting conversations at home. It must allow every organization, city, etc., to make it their own event. 

The 2010 ShakeOut drill will be the largest preparedness event in U.S. history. To participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants register (so they can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the specified time. It is only a five minute commitment for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

For more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org.

Are you ready to Shake Out?

Easter Baskets and Smart Cars

The only other thing she’d ever won was an Easter basket. Which, incidentally, got eaten by her dog.

“I was 11 and won it at my father’s rotary club,” said Christie Friday, 41. “I had placed it on top of the dryer and when we came home, it was gone.”

This past September, Christie was the lucky winner of another prize, which although inedible we hope she’ll get to keep around and enjoy – a brand new Smart Car Passion Coupe!

In addition to the cause of saving lives, BCP gave donors another reason to donate blood this past summer. All blood donors who gave blood in July and August were entered in to the “Give blood. Get smart.” promotion to win a brand new car.

This was BCP’s second time giving away a Smart Car to a lucky blood donor. More than 22,000 people donated blood during the promotion and a finalist was randomly chosen each week. But there could only be one lucky winner!

On Wednesday, September 15th, all eight finalists eagerly gathered at BCP’s headquarters in San Francisco. Each picked a random key from a basket and the crowd waited in anticipation as they took turns trying their key in the ignition. When Christie, the sixth finalist, tried her key, the engine came to life and she was pronounced the winner! Christie, a Napa resident and working mother of three who believes that the world should be about helping people, has been a regular blood donor since high school.

“I’m totally shocked!” said Christie, who says there’s no reason why everyone shouldn’t donate blood. “It’s so surreal!”

The other seven finalists did not walk away empty-handed as they all received $100 gas cards.

Congratulations to Christie for being our Smart Car winner! And thanks to all our donors who continue to do the smart thing by donating blood!

Here’s video of Christie winning!