The Red Cross in Our Community Disaster Relief and Community Disaster Education
When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there.
This year we responded to 70 local disasters, including
residential fires and flooding. We helped 291 affected individuals
and families with emergency food, shelter and supplies. Because being prepared can make your family and community
safer and sometimes minimize injury and destruction, we made
17 disaster education presentations in the community and
trained 403 local citizens how to prepare for earthquakes and
other disasters. Photo American Red Cross/Gene Dailey
Blood Services
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Thanks to generous blood donors, the Red Cross collects and distributes nearly half the nation’s blood supply. Over the last year, we helped collect over 22,816 units of blood Health and Safety Services
From first aid, CPR and AED training to swimming and life guarding, American Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives. This year, 11,284 individuals learned lifesaving skills through classes offered by the chapter. Armed Forces Emergency Services
The American Red Cross provides communication between those in the Armed Forces and their families. We have a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate a birth, death or illness. This year we provided emergency connections for 216 military families. Youth Services
Our chapter reaches youth in our community through a Youth Council for High School Students, our College Council, by conducting Girl Scout Badge Days, and by teaching courses such as Scrubby Bear, Basic Aid Training and Babysitter Training. This past year we reached over 3,500 youth in our community. A Note About Volunteers
We depend on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry on our work. Volunteers constitute 97 percent of our total workforce, serving as members of our board, blood services volunteers, instructors teaching lifesaving skills, disaster action team members, office administrators, event organizers and more. This year, our volunteers contributed thousands of work hours locally and nationally, delivering Red Cross services to people in need. Our volunteers are the Heart of the Red Cross! | 
