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Let Your Light Shine Brightly!

We all need to feel that we are cared for and loved. You may never know what another person may be experiencing or what challenges they may be facing. What I know is by sharing, giving, or caring through our words and actions we spread light and hope. Bringing hope to others, no matter the form resonates in wondrous ways. From sharing kind words to extending a helping hand, your acts of giving are needed more than ever. Through your care and love, you allow yourself to be the light and hope for others.

Your light offers hope to someone who may be experiencing none. Your light encourages hope when it's needed most. Your kindness and compassion will shine as the beacon of care in a world where someone may doubt that there is love and care for them in this world. I invite you to join me and the entire BRC team as we close out this incredible year by embracing the positive and letting go of those things we cannot control.

This holiday season, let your light shine brightly! Offer your gratitude and move forward in positivity. Your glow will ripple and resonate tenfold – you will never know how far it will go! Who knows, you may be the inspiration to help another regain their light and glow.

We hope you’ve enjoyed quality time with friends and family this week. And, during this month of celebration and merriment, let us also recognize the power of gratitude.


From all of us at Building Resilient Communities, we wish you a Christmas season filled with the warmth of the shine of good health, happiness, and hope. In safety and gratitude, Debra
As the family comes together for the holidays, keep your home safe with help from Building Resilient Communities (BRC). We hope that we will contribute to the safety and security of the people you love and care for during the holiday season by sharing our Top Holiday Safety Tips. We wish you a safe, happy, and peaceful holiday season.
 
Candles add beauty, warmth, and light to our holiday home but never leave a burning candle unattended. Remember to extinguish any lit candles when you leave the room or your home or go to sleep.

Turn off tree lights, decorations, and portable space heaters when away or asleep.

Many of us sit in front of a warm fire in the fireplace sharing memories and waiting for Santa. BRC reminds us to never throw wrapping paper in the fire. Doing so could result in a flash fire because wrapping paper can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Only use outdoor and indoor lights as indicated on their packaging as they are lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet different standards that testing laboratories can verify. Before using, be sure to check each set of lights – whether new or old – for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Don’t overload circuits, extension cords, or electrical sockets. Overloading circuits, extension cords, or electrical sockets could cause a fire.
 
Never leave cooking or baking unattended. Always stay in the kitchen—even if you’re baking or roasting—and set a timer to remind yourself to check on cooking food.
 
Keep holiday plants away from pets including poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly out of pets’ reach. Ingesting any of these may cause a range of symptoms, while usually mild, ranging from stomach upset to low blood pressure.
 
Check your smoke detector battery.
Smoke detectors should be tested regularly, and the batteries replaced at least once or twice a year. Mark your calendar to check your alarm during the holidays.

Choose a fire-resistant artificial tree and be sure to water a natural tree daily. Position your tree at least three feet away from a heat source and remember to keep natural trees hydrated.
 
Maintain wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys. Nothing is cozier than relaxing by the fire, but it’s especially important to have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. Also, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the fireplace, and maintain a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
BRC and CaliforniaALL remind us to celebrate the holidays in ways that limit the spread of COVID-19. Get boosted, consider wearing a mask, monitor COVID-19 rates in your community, and have a treatment plan in place in case you test positive.

For the most current information regarding staying COVID-safe during the holidays go here

 
Holiday Shopping Made Easy!

Your Holiday Shopping Can Save Lives!  Shop our easy online store! Disaster preparedness kits and supplies for every size household or business. Make your purchase to prepare yourself and your family while supporting our mission. Click Here for Easy Shopping!
 
Take Me to the Store!

Registration Is Now Open

In-Person Registration
Online Registration

 

Although the approaching holidays are foremost on our minds it is important to remember that we live in an area that often encounters conditions where there is a high risk of wildfire. SCE reminds us that you may encounter a temporary cut-off of power in your area. This can help prevent electrical systems from becoming an ignition source. Situational power cuts are temporary and are intended to ensure the safety of you and your community.
 
In order to reduce wildfire threats and improve safety, our partners at Southern California Edison (SCE) are working to bolster wildfire prevention, put in place new and enhanced safety measures, and make their electric system more resilient. Learn more about PSPS and sign up for notifications here.
Meet BRC Team Member - Haley Webster

As the needs of the community grow, so does the BRC team! Meet Haley Webster, Social Media Specialist. Haley first came to BRC in an administrative role but with her many skills, she soon joined the marketing department. “I hope to utilize social media platforms to spread the word about who BRC is and what we do. This will help educate and provide support for the community.”, shared Haley.

Haley knows firsthand how communities can come together during and after disasters. “I was impacted by the Blue Cut fire that occurred in 2016 and I loved how the community came together to keep everyone, and their pets, safe. It was so special to see groups from all around come together to aid a community of people they didn’t even know, and I thought it would be special to be a part of that.”

Starting at California Baptist University (CBU), Haley initially enrolled as a nursing major. Later she found her passion and now holds a degree in Healthcare Administration from California Baptist University.
Haley strongly aligns herself with BRC’s commitment to service. “I feel service to society is most important to me because I have always been passionate about helping others and making sure others are respected and loved.” 

And with BRC’s broadest goals to create equitable and healthy communities in all aspects including physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health, Haley is in the perfect setting.

“BRC is important because we can help work with the community to tackle bigger issues at large and listen, respect, and take action to provide for those around us.” 


Welcome, Haley! 

We look forward to experiencing the impact of your skills and talents in helping BRC continue to grow!
Support BRC by Shopping Amazon Smile!

Shopping for the holidays? Experience feel-good shopping and support BRC by using Amazon Smile! When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you will find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to BRC. Get shopping and make a difference today!
Your Gift Makes Resilient Communities Possible

Our community has faced several crises, from wildfires to COVID-19. While we are actively preparing families and businesses to persevere in the face of disaster, we need your help to make our efforts go even further!

You can help us provide communities with personal protection equipment, training, and disaster preparedness resources. Your support is crucial to our efforts to create a resilient, self-sufficient community.

If you’re able, we’d love it if you could donate to help us achieve our mission.

 
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301 N. 9th St., Ste. 303, Entrance Reception 200, Redlands, CA 92374

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