The American Red Cross urges those in the Western Missouri Region who have never given blood before –  as well as those who haven’t given recently – to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help sustain a sufficient community blood supply this summer. While the need for blood is constant during

Red Cross volunteer Oscar Peterson of the Greater Kansas City Chapter shakes hands with Deacon Greg Clark of the First Assembly of God Church  in Van Buren, MO.  The Red Cross provided box fans for flood victims in the town. (Red Cross photo by Carl Manning) By Carl ManningAmerican Red Cross With much being done by

By Carl ManningAmerican Red Cross Nicole Vincent was with her two youngsters when the floodwater started creeping into her West Plains, Mo., mobile home. All she could do was wait for help to come. “It was really scary. I was just thinking about getting my children to safety and worrying about my family,” she said.