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5 Things to Know about the Red Cross

FIVE things to know about Red Cross in and around St. Joseph County:


1) DISASTER SERVICES:


Red Cross is called upon to help victims and survivors of disasters. Most of the time, people think of disasters as the big events, but over 95% of what our volunteers respond to is LOCAL single family fires.

 2) SERVICES TO MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS (SAF):

Red Cross volunteer s and staff assist hundreds of local families that have a member in the active duty military, be they fom a guard unit, the local Army or Marine Reserve unit, or active duty in any of the branches of service anywhere in the world.

In 2010-2011, 158 families of military members and veterans received emergency financial an/dor communications assistance.  375 were trained in Red Cross SAF training.

3) LIFESAVING TRAINING:


Red Cross trained personnel train over 10,000 people in St. Joe County each year, in lifesaving techniques like CPR, First Aid, and Life Guarding.

4)  INTERNATIONAL SERVICES:


Red Cross is a part of an International network of services. Like all Red Cross Chapters, the St. Joseph County Chapter helps with tracing of international refugees and reuniting families (Restoring Family Links) in times of war and human-caused and natural disasters.  The Chapter has helped refugees to resettle in the St. Joseph County area.


5) BLOOD

Red Cross is the nation’s largest blood supplier, and in St. Joseph County works collaboratively to meet local needs. Red Cross mobile collection trucks are conducting blood drives in outlying parts of the county and in surrounding counties, including Starke and Pulaski.  Approximately 2,000 units were collected in St. Joseph County, and provided services back to the community in the form of 'red blood cells,' special unit  work ups (for hard to find blood-types) and platelets for blood products.


Wish List:
The American Red Cross could use your support for some of the following:



  • Office furniture

  • Carpeting (for lower level training rooms)

  • Electrical repair and upgrade assistance

The American Red Cross is supported by:



  • donations from the public;

  • the United Way of St. Joseph County, for a portion of our disaster and military work;

  • grants for projects from foundations and businesses;

  • class registration fees;

  • bequests, legacies and planned giving.