The year 2007 marked the 90th Anniversary of the Madison/Marshall County Chapter American Red Cross serving our community through times of war and peace with disaster assistance, blood collection, safety training, services to the armed forces, local school first aid rooms and countless other community assistance services.  From inception, the organization's actions have been guided by its dedication to humanity and a desire to promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and a lasting peace.  Today, under the same trusted symbol, we continue to be there during times of disaster through the dedication and self-sacrifice of employees and volunteers, as well as the generosity of the Madison and Marshall County communities. 

Our Mission & Charter

 

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. 

 

Although the Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to “carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.”  The charter is not only a grant of power, but also imposes upon the Red Cross duties and obligations to our nation and our partners overseas, to disaster victims and to the people who generously support our work with their donations.

 

Our Structure

 

Chapters are the cornerstone of service delivery.  Each chapter develops and maintains local disaster plans and identifies adequate resources to ensure the human needs within a community are appropriately met.  Chapters conduct disaster training and planning and preparedness.

 

Chapters respond to an average of 70,000 disasters per year.  In the event of a disaster, the local and regional chapters provide the initial response in the first 24 to 48 hours.  If the disaster exceeds their capacity, they reach out to other regional chapters.

 

When an incident requires a response that exceeds the group’s capacity, the Red Cross national headquarters augments the response with technical guidance and resources.  During a national response, the Disaster Operations Center, located at national headquarters in Washington, DC, becomes the central point for administration of the disaster response.  It operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day, year-round.

 

The Red Cross acts as the primary resource in a community’s disaster response system.  Red Cross chapters and relief operations are closely integrated with community response efforts and local, state and federal government activities.  We coordinate with other entities to ensure a well-integrated, effective and efficient response to the disaster.

 

The American Red Cross:  We’re What Happens Next

 

On a cold, late-fall afternoon in New York City, American Red Cross of Greater New York volunteer responder Jennie Smith rushed to the scene of a multi-unit apartment fire.  Three families had just lost everything they owned, and they were standing out on the street.  A young firefighter turned to Jennie and said, "Isn't that sad.  I wonder what will happen to them."  Jennie replied, “We’re what happens next.”

 

All across America, every day, the American Red Cross relies on its donors for their gifts of time, talent, money and blood to answer the question, “What happens next?” when someone in need turns to us for help. 

 

How do we prepare for the unpredictable?  How do we ensure that we can care for individuals, families and communities when something unexpected happens?  How do we keep responding when, on average, a disaster strikes every eight minutes?  We rely on our donors, our volunteers and our partners.  We rely on you.  Be part of the answer.  Join us.

 

Like No Other Organization

 

The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest, independent, nonprofit humanitarian organization helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies.  No other entity provides our depth of services to communities in the United States and around the world.

 

Every household in America has benefited in some way from the life-saving mission of the Red Cross.  Through a volunteer-led network of more than 700 local chapters and 36 Blood Services regions; through more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 employees; we are a powerful, grassroots organization.  As one of 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world, we belong to a global humanitarian force of 98 million employees, volunteers and members.

 

Every single day, we harness the very best of humanity to carry out our mission in five complementary service-delivery areas—Disaster Services, Health and Safety Services, Biomedical Services, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services.  We make a difference in ways that can be felt in your neighborhood and around the world.

 

The Red Cross is not a government agency; we rely on private donations of time, talent, money and blood to do our work.  We rely on the generosity and willingness of people and businesses to help others in need.  We are proud of the fact that 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends goes to humanitarian services and programs.

 

Disaster Services–Helping Neighbors Every Day

 

In Massachusetts, a Red Cross volunteer rushes to a disaster scene to help someone who has suddenly lost everything in a fire.

 

Every year, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters nationwide—that’s nearly 200 times a day.  The vast majority of these disasters are single family and apartment home fires.

 

Melissa Sieminski is just one of the thousands of American Red Cross volunteers who respond to these disasters.  As a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Melissa responds to house fires, floods and many other types of disasters.  Before becoming a volunteer, she didn’t realize how much help was needed on a day-to-day basis in local communities.  “I have received numerous hugs, cried infinite tears and laughed with joy when someone whom I had helped realized that there was hope after all,” Melissa said.

 

“I am not wealthy, but I am richer because I volunteer.”  —Melissa Sieminski, Volunteer American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay

Most people know the Red Cross for our response to the larger disasters—the hurricanes, floods and wildfires that grab the headlines—but we must be ready for every disaster, regardless of its size or the media attention it attracts.  We put systems and plans into place to deal with disasters before they happen by partnering with local, state and federal governments; community organizations; and individuals and corporate supporters to provide emergency shelter, food, health and mental health services and resources and referrals to aid in recovery.  We also provide canteen support (snacks and beverages) to the emergency workers who are the first to respond when disaster strikes.

 

Our national infrastructure includes the following:

 

• More than 20 emergency supply warehouses

• Enough cots, blankets and pre-packaged meals to serve 500,000 people

• A fleet of more than 330 emergency response vehicles

• An army of more than 80,000 trained disaster volunteers like Melissa, ready to serve at a moment’s notice

 

Gifts to the Disaster Relief Fund make it possible for us to shelter, feed and counsel victims of disasters, from single family house fires to catastrophic natural disasters affecting thousands of people.  The Disaster Relief Fund gives hope to someone who may have nothing else left.
Health and Safety Services—Teaching Lifesaving and Emergency

Preparedness Skills

 

In Wickenburg, Arizona, a four-year-old girl who took an American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim class saves her friend’s life.

 

Red Cross Health and Safety Services is the premier provider of education, training and products that enable people to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies.  Our Red Cross experts design, monitor and update the training programs we offer to workplaces and communities through local Red Cross chapters.  Through these classes, we empower nearly 11 million people a year to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies.  Our programs and services include the following:

 

• Aquatics, such as basic swim lessons, lifeguarding and water safety

• First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillation (AED)

• Care giving, including Babysitter’s Training

• HIV/AIDS Education

 

Six-year-old Audrey Crawford and four-year-old Abby Burgason learned a life-saving lesson during a Learn-to-Swim class at their community pool in Wickenburg, Ariz.  The class introduces children, ages 4-7, to water skills.

 

Abby Burgason, with her friend Audrey Crawford, several years after Abby saved Audrey’s life. Photo by Tracey Kiest/American Red Cross

One part of the class focuses on helping someone struggling in the water.  The technique involves lying down on your belly, reaching out a hand, talking to the victim, securing her hand and pulling the victim to safety.  After learning the rescue technique in the Red Cross class, Abby used it to save her friend, Audrey.

 

“I thought the bottom of the pool was a lot closer than it was,” Audrey recalled.  In over her head, the young girl struggled to stay afloat and wave for help at the same time.  “I remember seeing Abby's hand through the splashing water so I grabbed it,” said Audrey. 

 

Audrey’s mother was just a few feet away from the pool, but separated by the fence.  “Terrifying,” is how she later described the scene.  “My heart stopped when I saw Audrey fall in the water,” she said.  “I was so amazed when I saw Abby move into action to help.  To see such a little person do such a big thing is simply amazing!”

 

Donations to support Health and Safety Services save lives by providing the resources—the facilities, equipment and programs—we need to teach people like Abby how to help when help can’t wait.
Biomedical Services—Collecting, Testing and Supplying Blood across Our Nation

 

In Maryville, Illinois, a blood donor rolls up his sleeve to give a pint of blood—for the 160^th time.

 

The Red Cross collects, processes and distributes lifesaving blood and blood products.  We provide more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, making us the single largest supplier of blood in our nation.  We are a leader in scientific research, transfusion medicine and testing to protect the blood supply. 

 

The Red Cross is committed to keeping the blood supply as safe as possible and to holding itself accountable to the highest standards set by regulators and the American public it serves.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.  Every year, four million donors like Jim Wolters of Maryville, Ill. give blood.  Whether the blood goes to help treat a premature baby born with anemia, a car accident victim or a cancer patient, people like Jim ensure that the sick and injured receive the lifesaving blood transfusions they need.  

 

Last year, Jim reached an incredible milestone with the Red Cross by giving his 20^th gallon of blood.  Every pint of blood can help save up to three lives:  Jim has potentially saved the lives of more than 480 people.

 

Only a small percentage of those who are eligible to donate actually give blood.  Jim hopes he can inspire others to follow his example.  Whether you donate often or if it’s your first time, your blood donation can make a difference.

 

Each year, the Red Cross distributes more than 9 million donated blood products to patients at approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.  Our use of current medical technologies allows us to provide a variety of lifesaving blood products to the hospitals and transfusion centers we serve.

 

Donations given to our Biomedical Services research and development program help us remain at the forefront of blood transfusion safety and technology. 

 

Throughout its history, the Red Cross Blood Services program has made significant contributions and advancements in blood component technology, blood safety, plasma-derived therapeutics, transfusion medicine and biomedical science.  Our groundbreaking work is possible because of the generous contributions of our donors.  

 

Service to Armed Forces—Assisting Service Members, Veterans and their Families

 

In Washington, DC, a volunteer helps a wounded warrior practice walking on his new titanium legs at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

 

The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program ensures that service members, veterans and their families have worldwide, around-the-clock access to timely and reliable comfort and support. 

 

As one small part of this comprehensive support program, several times a week, wounded service members are airlifted from Iraq and Afghanistan and met by Red Cross volunteers when they land at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.  From there, some are transported to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC to work with top-notch medical personnel and more than 250 Red Cross volunteers who give their time and talents throughout the hospital.

 

More than 250 Red Cross volunteers at Walter Reed provide assistance in all areas, from the pharmacy to the physical therapy clinic.

 “The Red Cross has been there for every wounded warrior who’s come through our doors,” said Col. Dennis Doyle, the deputy commander for administration at Walter Reed.  “That level of service, that level of commitment, carries through the entire process, with Red Cross volunteers assisting with the healing process and helping with morale issues.”

 

In fiscal year 2008, nearly 8,000 SAF volunteers answered the call for help.  Partnering with Congress, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, our volunteers provide military personnel and their families with a worldwide integrated support network to help them cope with the stress of military life in the following ways:

 

• Assisting 1.4 million active-duty personnel and their families

• Delivering emergency messages and financial support (630,000 emergency communications services in fiscal year 2008)

• Supporting the sick and wounded at military and veterans hospitals

• Reaching out to more than 800,000 members of the National Guard/Reserves and their families who reside in nearly every community in the United States

• Helping military families cope with the stress of having a spouse deployed overseas

• Representing veterans and their families before the Board of Veterans Appeals  

Donations that support our Services to Armed Forces allow the Red Cross to provide this service to the men and women who serve our country, free of any financial burden.

 

International Services—Providing Humanitarian Relief around the World

 

In China, a Red Cross worker helps those left homeless by a massive earthquake.

 

The American Red Cross is one of more than 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies based in nations around the world that answer the call for help by alleviating human suffering wherever it is found.  We promote cost-effective, community-based programs that target large numbers of people with humanitarian aid that is rapid, effective and large-scale.

 

In fiscal year 2008, we responded to disasters and emergencies in 45 countries around the world, helping an estimated seven million people. 

 

“I empathized with what people were going through and wanted to do everything I could to make their lives better again.”                      —Ramsey Rayyis, Delegate,       American Red Cross , Asia Region

American Red Cross worker Ramsey Rayyis arrived in China's Chengdu province a week after the country experienced its most devastating earthquake in a generation.  Entire villages were uninhabitable and survivors in the countryside were living in front of the rubble that used to be home.

 

Ramsey helped the Red Cross conduct a rapid assessment of what needed to be done and coordinated response teams to fill urgent needs.  Once immediate relief work was underway, he supervised the distribution of tents and helped create sanitary conditions and a safe water supply for tens of thousands of survivors.

 

Interim warehouses and shelters were set up almost overnight—eventually housing hundreds of thousands of survivors.  Continuing aftershocks, flooding and landslides caused repeated calls for evacuation. 

 

"I was glad I could help in any way possible," Ramsey says.  "I was injured and my home destroyed during California's Loma Prieta quake in 1989.  I know the fear engendered by aftershocks, a business in shambles and the insecurity of sleeping on a friend's front lawn.  I empathized with what people were going through and wanted to do everything I could to make their lives better again." 

 

In addition to international disaster relief, we provide education on international humanitarian law and conduct family tracing programs to locate loved ones missing due to war, natural disaster or civil unrest.  We work to meet the challenges of measles, malaria and HIV/AIDS.  Since 2000, our global partnership has led to the vaccination of more than 600 million children worldwide, resulting in a 74 percent decline in measles deaths globally.

 

Donations to the American Red Cross International Response Fund provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and more. 

 

I Want to Help.  What Happens Next?

 

Your financial donation provides a warm meal, safe shelter, a blanket to wrap around the survivor of a devastating house fire and other critical services during a disaster.  A blood donation gives someone a second chance at life.  Time spent teaching a learn-to-swim class may help save a drowning girl.  Around the country and around the world, when you answer the call to help the Red Cross, you answer the question, “What happens next?”

 

Not a moment passes where a life hasn’t been saved or a person served by the American Red Cross. Whether you are one person or a large corporation, there are so many

meaningful ways you can make a difference, in your neighborhood and across the globe.  When you rise to meet the challenge, everyone’s life begins changing for the better—including your own.

 

 

Please contact us at (256) 536-0084 for more information.