7 Ways You Can Help the Red Cross

American Red Cross is always offering ways to help those in need. Here are a few ways that you can get involved:

•   Make a Financial Gift to Disaster Relief - Help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

•   Implement a Customer Donation Program - Give your customers the opportunity to support Disaster Relief by adding a dollar amount to their total purchase.   

•   Sponsor an Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program - Engage employees by sponsoring a fundraiser in support of Disaster Relief and provide an incentive to participate by matching employee donations.

•   Conduct a Percentage of Sales Program - Show your commitment to the Red Cross and those we serve while generating sales for your company by donating a percentage of sales to Disaster Relief.

•   Donate Ad Space - Donate a portion of your advertising inventory and help share stories about the individuals, families and communities affected by disaster. 

•   Place a Red Cross Banner Ad on Your Website - Place a Red Cross banner ad on a company website to reinforce the support of the Red Cross and encourage donations through our Donate Now webpage.

•   Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to Make a Donation - Customers of participating wireless carriers can make a $10 donation to support Disaster Relief by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. Donations will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid account. Message and Data rates may apply.

To learn more information on ways to help the American Red Cross South Plains Region visit: http://www.redcross.org/support

Red Cross Volunteer Judy Pevytoe

The American Red Cross depends on volunteers with various backgrounds, talents, and skill levels to help those locally and worldwide. Volunteers constitute 94% of the total workforce that carry out humanitarian work for the Red Cross.

            The South Plains Regional Chapter has many volunteers that help with disaster relief in the 15 counties it serves throughout West Texas. Many volunteers also deploy to different parts of the country to help those in need.

            Judy Pevytoe has been a full-time volunteer for the South Plains Regional Chapter for over a year. She mainly volunteers with the Disaster Action Team and in the office assisting with administrative tasks.

“After I completed the application and orientation process I started helping out in the South Plains Region,” Pevytoe said. “I really just enjoy volunteering with the organization because we help those in need, so it is a great way to help within the American Red Cross.”

In the South Plains area there are over 100 volunteers who help with all branches of the Red Cross. These branches include disaster relief, supporting American’s and military families, health and safety training, lifesaving blood, and international services.

Pevytoe helps with sheltering, inventory in the office, preparing for health and safety classes, and fundraising within the community. She is also a DAT Captain under the disaster relief branch, responding to emergency calls, gathering all of the information on the disaster, and deciding what to provide for families that have been affected. Pevytoe is currently on call for any disaster relief for the North Texas Region, including assistance for the Colorado floods.

Over the past year, Pevytoe has seen mainly fires and floods impact families throughout the South Plains area. She has seen destruction around Lubbock, Muleshoe, Plains, and Plainview ruin homes and apartment complexes.

“During those disasters you see the devastation on those people’s faces,” Pevytoe said. “It’s just very rewarding to receive a hug or see some expression of relief when the Red Cross says they can help.”

Volunteering in the area can range from cleaning out the office supply closet to responding to major disasters around the world. Volunteers for the Red Cross understand our mission statement on preventing and alleviating human suffering and follow our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

Steps to become a volunteer in the South Plains region include: filling out a volunteer application, indicating areas of interest, completing a simple background check, and attending a two hour orientation.

For more information on how to become a volunteer for the South Plains Regional Chapter go to: http://www.redcross.org/tx/lubbock/volunteer

Written by: Mary McCormack, Public Affairs and Special Events Intern

Natalie Steadman to the Rescue!

This September marks the tenth year for National Preparedness Month within the American Red Cross. The South Plains Regional Chapter wants to inform our community on how to stay safe, develop disaster plans, and get information on being prepared during a disaster.

Locally, the Red Cross provides classes that help those become prepared for emergency situations or disasters. Classes such as CPR/AED training, water safety, babysitting training, and disaster training courses are provided throughout the country.

Natalie Steadman, a professor at Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center and volunteer instructor for the South Plains Chapter in Lubbock, discusses the importance of why somebody should be prepared for disaster.

“It’s important to know even some of the most basic health training,” Steadman said. “Just taking some simple courses will help you save somebody that you love.”

Steadman receives first aid training for her career every two years. She said she used her training to help a man she did not know saving his life.

            Littlefield, a small town outside of Lubbock, hosted a football game one Friday night when Steadman was on the sidelines. A photographer was also near the field when he started having heart complications and became unresponsive.

            “I never thought that day would ever come,” Steadman said. “I always wondered would I freeze when it came down to it, or would all of my training and knowledge kick in?”

            Every month, the American Red Cross offers many classes that will teach basic skills on how to assist someone who needs immediate medical attention. Without these classes, Steadman would not have been prepared and able to save someone’s life.

            “I’ve learned that the American Red Cross is all about helping those people in need at the very worst times in life,” Steadman said. “They have so many things to offer on how you can help, and I do my best to be an advocate.”

Written by: Mary McCormack, Public Affairs and Special Events Intern