By Staff
When thinking about what was important for people to know about The American Red Cross during the presidentially proclaimed, Red Cross Month; I thought my own recent education might resonate with readers.
I came to the Red Cross like so many others in the late summer of 2005; I really wanted to help my fellow citizens in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita. I did not have a fulltime job then; since I had been fortunate enough to learn and help a dear friend in her catering business – I knew I could help in a food line! When I visited the Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter House, I was met by many, very overworked, very friendly people who encouraged me to volunteer; but cautioned me not to expect to be called to serve without training. Training; what kind of training beyond my experience does it take to put food on a plate? I was soon to find out. I signed up for the Disaster Training courses the chapter was teaching and filling to overflowing each week.
The first of many things I did not know about the Red Cross was how hard they work to ensure their volunteers are ready to meet the challenges of responding to disaster. The courses I took encompassed communications, CPR, first aid, logistics, mental health, public relations, social services, staffing and warehousing. WOW, and all this in Introduction to Disaster!
The instructors were experienced and had all served in many local, regional and national disaster incidents. They knew and expressed the challenges we as potential volunteers would face, and that really helping goes beyond just wanting to. Last year the Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter reached 6,000 persons with Community Disaster Education.
The next thing I learned was that while the presence of the Red Cross is very visible during times of national disaster such as Katrina; the primary service the Red Cross provides to each of the communities it serves is response to local disasters such as house fires, floods and tornadoes. Last year in our Chapter we responded to 90 local disasters, including 67 house and apartment fires. We provided aid to 121 local families who were affected by these local disasters.
Training and dedication is required from so many unsung hometown heroes. Every day, 24 hours a day, 13 people, from several rotating teams in our four county service area (Allegan, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph) wait to be called to assist at local fires and other disasters. The average amount of training these volunteers bring to their duties is in excess of 23 hours. And they truly drop whatever they might be doing to answer the call. House fires seem to happen in the middle of the night, and in the nastiest weather. Help is there when you need it.
Did you know that The American Red Cross is Congressionally Chartered? The American Red Cross is the ONLY organization that is empowered to assist active duty service people and their families with emergencies while the service person is deployed. Once again a trained cadre of volunteers answers these emergency calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our Chapter also provides transportation for Kalamazoo County veterans to medical appointments at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek. Last year we provided 304 services to military personnel and their families, and 387 rides for veterans.
Most of you recognize the role the Red Cross plays in the collection and distribution of blood donations. Last year in our four counties we hosted 486 blood drives and collected 18,015 pints of blood. Red Cross also provides training in Babysitting, Aquatic Safety, CPR, First Aid and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's). Last year in our area, 11,450 people enrolled in CPR and First Aid courses, 2,847 people participated in aquatic safety and life guarding, and 1,060 young people trained in babysitting.
So … I became a trained American Red Cross volunteer. I took classes, I answered phones, I counted money, I returned phone calls, I made copies, I learned that we are truly blessed to live among so many dedicated, trained, volunteer, hometown heroes. I was hooked! Now I am fortunate enough to not only volunteer and train with the American Red Cross, I am pleased to say I am an employee too.
During March, Red Cross Month, please help me thank and recognize our own hometown heroes by becoming involved with the Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donate your time, your money and/or your blood. I can tell you from first hand experience, you will be hooked and soon be a hero yourself!