3 things I learned about the Red Cross

Guest Blog Post by Pamela Gandy – Public Relations Student at Texas Tech University.    

I cannot remember a time before I knew about the Red Cross. In 2010 when a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, I was in seventh grade. In the weeks following the earthquake, my school held a fundraising competition between all the homeroom classes. Students, teachers, and staff donated their money to try to provide some relief for those affected (and to win bragging rights over the other classes).  I can remember watching the news at school, seeing dozens of volunteers wearing the Red Cross logo as they brought relief items to the people of Haiti.

Eight years later, I am beginning an internship at the Texas South Plains Chapter of the Red Cross. My perception of the organization has changed significantly since seventh grade.  In my brief time with the nonprofit, I have learned that the Red Cross does far more than send supplies to victims of natural disasters.

1.      Before Texas Tech

Established in 1881, the Red Cross has a very long history. Even more impressively, the South Plains chapter, located in Lubbock, has existed for 100 years. In 1917, Lubbock was barely large enough to be considered a town. Lubbock’s pride and joy, Texas Tech, did not even exist yet. The fact that the chapter, Lubbock, and the surrounding towns of the Texas South plains, have grown so much in those 100 years, is truly amazing.

2.      The Red Cross Reconnects Families

Despite all the media coverage of volunteers working to help those affected by natural disasters, emergency relief is only one component of what the Red Cross does. Much of the work the Red Cross does will never be shown on CNN during primetime. I was very surprised to learn that one of the services the Red Cross offers, was reconnecting families separated by wars and extreme weather events. The Red Cross works with people in Washington D.C. and all around the globe to help bring families back together. People impacted by the recent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast were able to be reconnected with their loved ones because of the Red Cross.

3.      The nurses in white uniforms.

Since the first World War, the organization has taken military assistance very seriously. The methods of helping service members, however, have come a long way since the time of nurses wearing white uniforms. Volunteering at veterans’ hospitals, supporting veterans acclimate to civilian life, and providing emergency and financial support, are just a few of the ways the nonprofit works to help military families. Domestic and abroad, in times of peace and war, the Red Cross strives to help service men and women in any way possible.

The Red Cross is a network of people who are dedicated to the mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering. In my short time with the nonprofit, I have been so impressed by the volunteers who work to improve the lives of others. Like most things, the Red Cross cannot be accurately represented or defined in a 45 second television news story. It is an organization made up of many components and countless volunteers. I look forward to spending more time with the Red Cross, learning all that it has to offer. 

My Red Cross Intern Experience

My name is Kaitlyn and I am graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in public relations in December. Over the past two years, I have learned many skills and techniques from some of the best and most qualified professors. With the end of my undergraduate career nearing, I wanted an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to the real world.

In school, one of the first questions they ask you is “what field of public relations do you want to work in?” and I always said nonprofit. I started volunteering when I was 5 and never really stopped so for me, a nonprofit made perfect sense. Getting to work while also serving others and the community is an absolute ideal job for me.

In one of my senior level courses, we were assigned to write a mock press release for different chapters of the American Red Cross. I had been previously CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross so I knew some things about them, but this assignment really opened my eyes. I ended up reading a handful of testimonies and was blown away by how big of an impact this organization had on so many communities.

Months after that assignment, I was walking down the hallway and noticed a flyer to become an intern for the American Red Cross. I grabbed it, called my mom to tell her about it and then applied for the position within two hours of learning about it. I was so nervous but so excited because something about it just felt like it was meant to be. I ended up talking on the phone to a few different directors and immediately knew that these were people I wanted to work with and for.

Fast forward a few weeks and I have now been the South Plains American Red Cross intern for a month! My first day on the job was the same day Hurricane Harvey made landfall so you can imagine how big of a whirlwind it’s been. I definitely wasn’t expecting this to be part of my experience, but I have already learned so much and been able to apply every single thing I’ve learned in school.

With Hurricane Irma and Maria following Harvey, the American Red Cross has been incredibly busy. It’s been amazing to see the responses from my directors, my community and all of the volunteers who are so willing to serve our neighbors in need. The people I work with on a daily basis and the people who come in to donate and volunteer remind me exactly why my answer was always “nonprofit.”

I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning much more at the American Red Cross this year! 

BEING A RED CROSS INTERN

MAY 5, 2017 JADALLEN 

I’ve been lucky enough to work for a great nonprofit organization like the American Red Cross. I started working here in January and unfortunately I’m ending my time here in May because I’m graduating from Texas Tech.

What I love the most about the Red Cross is the fact that they’re not government funded. All of their donations and financial gifts come from their donors and volunteers which is fantastic.

Being a public affairs intern here is great for me because I started at Tech as a public relations major. I write press releases, update their social media accounts, make flyers, invitations, write blog posts and I interview prospective clients for the Red Cross Lubbock. I’ve also went around Lubbock and the Texas Tech campus to post flyers around about the Giving Day event and their Champions Breakfast event.

My favorite thing about being an intern here at the Red Cross is probably getting to be interviewed by local TV stations here in Lubbock like KLBK and Fox 34. I was thrilled to be able to write a press release for the Champions Breakfast and seeing that it got published on KLBK’s website was super exciting.

My time here at the Red Cross has been worth it and I’ve learned so much through this journey. I want to thank the Executive Director, Laura Hann for giving me this opportunity because she has taught me a lot about what the Red Cross is and what they stand for and she’s taught me how to be a great public affairs intern.

If you’re a college student and you’re looking for a place to intern or volunteer at, the Red Cross is a great place to work for and you won’t be disappointed.

ARC Internship Provides Rich Experience and Fun

That's me looking like I'm grown up.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Before my internship with the American Red Cross in Lubbock, I never even for a second thought I would want to work for a nonprofit organization.

Now, I can tell you how stupid that was because I’ve realized how much I love working for a nonprofit.

During my internship, not only was I treated just the same as the other employees, but I had work to do. I wasn’t just free labor that only answered the phone every time it rang and helped people who came into the office.

My first week I put together a blog plan for the month, wrote blogs, and handled social media accounts, which I’ve done the entire semester. After that, I was trusted with the task of creating lists for the Dallas chapter’s Twitter Account. I was asked to use research analytics software to compile monthly statistics about the performance of the social media accounts for the Dallas chapter, as well.

As an intern, it is a privilege to be trusted not only with your company or organization’s social media accounts, but with things outside your realm, too. It is a great compliment.

My favorite thing by far though was what I was able to do for our bowling tournament. I was interviewed on live TV about our event and the great services the American Red Cross offers. I enjoyed it so much because I had never done it before and thankfully, I didn’t do too bad. I did something weird with my hands apparently, but we won’t talk about that. It was just another thing the American Red Cross helped me get experience at that I might not have had the opportunity to do anywhere else.

That's me telling people about Piper the Puppy.

I helped with fundraising events, and on April 12 I even got to host my own event called Piper’s Day Out. Just like any intern, I was terrified and convinced I would do it wrong and they would shun me from ever coming back. Thankfully, I’m just dramatic and that didn’t happen. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The event was hosted at Fire Station 18 and featured a bounce house, face painter and free food all to promote Piper the Puppy. Lots of smiling faces showed up and had a great time.

Not only did I learn so much, but I also had the honor of getting acquainted with some of the wonderful people associated with the American Red Cross. They really are a family and I was welcomed with open arms.

Internships are so important to have before you graduate and begin looking for a job. It shows you’ve worked hard and not taken for granted the wonderful opportunities around you.

The American Red Cross taught me things that I could have never gotten by just sitting in a classroom and I had a blast while doing it.

To join in on this great organization and get the best experience of your college career, please send your resume, cover letter and an appropriate work sample to amy.yen@redcross.org for consideration.