Three Ways to Show Support on World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

We can’t think of a better way to spend your favorite holiday — World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day — than by supporting all the hard work our volunteers do.

In the past year, your donations helped the American Red Cross respond to about 70,000 disasters, 

provided more than 29,000 overnight stays, and provided more than 1.8 million meals and snacks.

1. When a family on your neighborhood is woken up in the middle of the night by a fire the American Red Cross will be there to help them. To do that, though, the Red Cross needs your help.

Your monetary donations help us provide warm meals, clothes and every day necessities that are lost in a fire. This means you are helping people in your community when they need it the most. It’s not time consuming and very easy, which is a great thing and you are able to offer support to someone who has lost everything.

In 2013, the Red Cross responded to 52,000 home fires across the U.S. and served 226,000 people in the process.

2. When a fire wreaks havoc on a home, the whole family is affected and the smallest victims, the children, may find comfort in something soft and cuddly to hold on to.

The Red Cross has just the thing. By adopting Piper the Puppy, you can comfort a child who has just experienced devastation by helping them to know you care and are there to help. By adopting Piper the Puppy for $100, not only can bring a smile to a child’s face, but your name is also written on the paw so they know who cares.

3. The best way to show your support, though, is by becoming a volunteer. Volunteering doesn’t always mean responding to disasters in the middle of the night. Volunteering can be anything from office work, writing blogs or organizing the warehouse.

Not only is volunteering a rewarding experience, but you are also helping people in your community. What is a better way to support your local Red Cross by helping in any way you can? Join our everyday heroes today!

The Reason You Need the Wildfire App: Red Flag Warnings

Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

In the South Plains it’s not uncommon for Red Flag warnings, especially during the drought.

A red flag warning, according to National Weather Service, means that conditions are occurring or will occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires.

Because of the dry climate, we think it’s important you know what to do in case there is a wildfire near your or your loved ones.

The American Red Cross’ Wildfire App for iPhone and Android is a great way to do that. It’s features include:

• Step-by-step instructions let you know what to do even before/during/after wildfires, even if there is no data connectivity.
• Wildfire News section with state-by-state links to all fire-fighting agencies’ Twitter feeds and websites ensuring the most recent developments on current wildfires.
• Click-to-call access to your state’s 511 network for the latest traffic information in case of evacuation.
• Let family and friends know you are okay with the customizable “I’m Safe” alert for Facebook, Twitter, email and text.
• Find open Red Cross shelters in your area when you need help.
• Stay safe when the lights are out with the Toolkit, including a strobe light, flashlight and audible alert functions.
• Prepare for the worst by learning how to assemble an emergency kit for your family in the event of power outage or evacuation.
• Earn badges that you can share with your friends and show off your wildfire knowledge with interactive quizzes.

Empower your family to stay safe and remain calm in an emergency by learning how to make and practice your family disaster plan.

• Meet with your family or household members.
• Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
• Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
• If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.
• Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency
• Plan what to do if you have to evacuate 

It’s never a bad idea to get ready for the wildest weather, especially if you live in West Texas, so download the Wildfire app and stay safe!

Board Member, Volunteer says ‘Nobody else does what the Red Cross does’

Clarke Cochran poses with an American Red
Cross vehicle while on vacation in Spain.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

When Clarke Cochran responded to his first disaster with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team member, he didn’t know he would be helping someone he knew.

About three years ago, the Red Cross board member and volunteer said he didn’t realize it at the time, but when they pulled up to the house that had burned to the ground, it was his very good friend’s home.

“He was there, he was well-to-do, he was well insured,” Cochran said. “Everybody was OK, nobody was hurt, but he was just kind of in a daze and he was saying, ‘I can’t get a hold of my insurance company.’ The DAT captain pulled out his phone and said, ‘Here, I've got the numbers and the emergency response of all the insurance companies,’ dialed it for him, gave it to him and that was the lifeline he needed.”

When Cochran first joined the Red Cross team in 2008, he said he was one of the vice presidents of Covenant and hoping to help serve as a liaison between the two.

Not only does Cochran believe the Red Cross is a great organization, but he said it’s important for people to offer their community a helping hand.

“We depend on our community for all kinds of things whether we realize it or not and therefore, others depend on us,” Cochran said. “So, it’s give and take. Reciprocity. Mutual assistance. Nobody else does what the Red Cross does and we’re a volunteer led organization and therefore, if the Red Cross is not there, people can’t get from here to there. So, that’s why the Red Cross is important.”

During his time with the Red Cross, he said he has learned several things about disasters, small or large.

People, Cochran said, don’t know how to get through the first two or three days after the initial disaster because the path they were once on was changed and they suffer from shock.

“Nobody expects to lose their whole house, all their clothing, their checkbook, their debit card, you know, all the stuff we take for granted. The Red Cross is there after the fire is put out and sometimes while the fire is going on and helping them say, ‘OK, here’s the next few steps and we got you covered for the next couple of days until you can kind of pull together your resources and other community resources.’ So, it’s an essential bridge to getting your life back in order.”

You, too, can work with people like Clarke to be there for your neighbors, friends or fellow community members during times of disaster. To join the American Red Cross team, visit RedCross.org.

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.

Volunteer Turned Board Member Stays Calm, Cool and Collected

Left to right: Gerry Grant, chair of the board, presents Miles
Hardaway with an award during the 2013 Presidential
Awards Ceremony.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Miles Hardaway is able to remain calm during highly stressful situations, which is why he said the American Red Cross is perfect for him.

“I have always been very good in disasters,” he said. “I have a cool mind in a disaster situation and I’ve known that about myself since I was a teenager. So when I decided to start giving back to my community, the Red Cross was a natural fit for my skill sets, or that skill set anyways.”

Hardaway serves on the board, but has been volunteering for about two years as a Disaster Action Team Captain.

The Disaster Action Team members respond immediately to a disaster when called by emergency dispatch. Specially trained DAT volunteers assess the scope of the damage and meet with the affected family or families to determine their immediate disaster-related needs and ensure that those needs are met.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community that you live in,” Hardaway said. “It is a big national organization, but the work that the Red Cross does is always at the local level and it requires local volunteers in order to perform the work of the Red Cross.”

Although he is able to stay calm in collected during stressful situations, he said there are a few things that are more difficult to handle than others.

“I guess the most emotional thing is when a client has lost a pet, then they really lose it,” Hardaway said. “I have four dogs at home and so I really do relate to them and I give my dogs a big hug and a lot of attention after something like that happens.”

While some are upset after the loss of a furry friend, the most common reaction is shock after a family loses their home to a fire, he said. Others may be inconsolable or be calm and take charge of the care of their family.

Volunteers will work with the head of the family to fill out paperwork, explaining the situation and determining which of their belongings are salvageable, Hardaway said.

“They don’t even know what to do when we arrive, or where to go, or what to do at all,” he said. “We give them some directions and we get them thinking about how to recover from this. At the beginning they’re in trauma — they’re not even thinking about it.”

No matter how stressful the situation may be, Hardaway said bringing peace to families during one of the most chaotic days of their lives is the best part of what he does.

To join Miles in helping people in your community, visit RedCross.org to learn what you can do to help.

Board Member, Volunteer Brant Daniel Says It’s All About Support

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Board Member and Volunteer Brant Daniel said his work with the American Red Cross is all about offering support.

For the past three years, he has been a board member and served on the service delivery committee for the South Plains Regional Chapter.

“We’re there to support the staff, to fundraise, to make sure that financially and just to make sure everybody gets the support they need to carry out their functions,” Daniel said. “Staff-wise, as far as what they need to do to get volunteers, get volunteers plugged in. We’re there to support.”

Not only does he serve on the board, but he has helped respond to a few local disasters.

These experiences were an eye-opener for him, he said.

“You can’t even at that time put yourself in their position, but just to see that they just need to know that somebody’s there to guide them through, to know that they’ll have a place to stay, that they’ll have their basic needs taken care of,” Daniel said. “Just because they’re in a state of shock and to know that there is somebody there to help them through, and to oversee the next few hours and days as they try to get things put back together.”

Often times, he said the public is used to seeing the American Red Cross on TV responding to a large-scale disaster, and may overlook the disasters that occur right down the street.

“We kind of tend to overlook the little things that happen that might not seem like much here, but to the persons involved, I mean, it’s everything and just to know that there’s an organization here that can help see those people through the immediate times,” he said, “to help them get back on their feet and get the immediate needs and concerns taken care of and they’ve got somebody to walk them through that process.”

Not only does Daniel believe disaster response is rewarding, but knowing that he is a part of an organization that does so much to help people.

Whether it’s health and safety training or emergency preparedness, he is proud of what the Red Cross does.

“It’s just that same thing and even the assistance that military families are given, you’ve got the disaster services and just knowing there’s a place in the community that people can get health and safety training,” Daniel said. “Just all the way across the board is just something that is so vital to our community and being prepared as we enter tornado season. There’s preparedness, there’s health and safety, there’s what we do for connecting military families in their time of need, I just appreciate everything that is behind the Red Cross mission.”

He said he also appreciates the work the staff and volunteers put into making the chapter successful and still keep smiles on their faces.

After he was approached to join the board, he said he realized how important it was to take care of local Red Cross chapters, too.

“It’s just the feeling you get knowing that if something happens in the middle of the night anywhere in our 13 county region,” Daniel said, “and I know the same goes on across the country, that there will be somebody there to fulfill that mission of making sure that somebody’s needs are being met.”

This National Volunteer Week, we salute people like Brant, who work hard to offer support to the American Red Cross’ mission. To join Brant and learn about volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org to start your Red Cross story today. 

Be Prepared for National Flood Safety Awareness Week with the Flood App

By Kassidy Ketron

Intern

Unless you can swim like a fish or have the perfect boat for all occasions, chances are you might need to know more about what to do in the case of a flood.

In honor of National Flood Safety Awareness Week, what better time for the American Red Cross to release its newest Flood App to help save lives and reduce losses from floods and flash floods.

This app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android users, provides local and real-time information so you know what to do before during and after a flood.

Here are just a few of the awesome features this app includes:

• Audible NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] flood and flash flood watches and warnings so people can gather loved ones and head to safety
• The alerts can save lives if users are asleep, away from radio, TV or in places where weather band radios may not work - users can even monitor alerts in other areas where loved ones live
• An “I’m safe” button allows users to send a message letting family and friends know they are out of harm’s way
• The app also has toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and alarm to let others know where you are and locations of open Red Cross shelters in case people need to evacuate
• Recovery resources are included for when you are able to return home and start cleaning up

 According to the National Flood Insurance Program, floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Anything from heavy rain and melting snow or ice can saturate the ground and cause floods or flash floods.

Contrary to popular belief, the American Red Cross does not have boats and cannot always get to victims during a flood.

For example, our SUVs, pickups and large vehicles are not save to drive the flood waters. Two feet of water can float most vehicles and, if the water is moving quickly, vehicles can be swept away.

Anytime you come to a flooded road, turn around and go the other way. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

While you may think you can walk through the floodwaters, just six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet. If the water is above your ankles, just turn around and go another way.

This app has resources developed by experts on how to prepare for flooding:

• The content is available in English and Spanish based on the user language settings on their mobile device.
• The app contains simple instructions and steps on what supplies to have, and how to develop an emergency plan if you have to stay put or if you must evacuate.
• It also features interactive quizzes with badges that you can earn and share on social networks.
• Preloaded content on the app gives users instant access to all information even without mobile connectivity.

The newest Flood App is just one in a series of emergency preparedness apps the American Red Cross is developing to put lifesaving information in the hands of people whenever and wherever they may need it. These apps can be in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store or by visiting the American Red Cross website.

It is always important to be prepared. If you would like to learn more about how you can help with American Red Cross and your community during a time of disaster please visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

Erin Imhoff volunteers for the feeling

By Kassidy Ketron
Intern

Erin Imhoff volunteers at Red Cross for the rewarding feeling she has knowing she is preparing people to save a life.

During her nine years at Red Cross, she has taught babysitters classes, wilderness first aid, CPR for the professional rescuer, and CPR for the first aid responder.

“I originally started with Red Cross in college because I needed to be recertified to work when I went back home,” Imhoff said. “And the woman who would be certifying me said that I would be a good candidate to teach Red Cross classes. So that’s how I got started.”

Teaching life saving skills is something she said she has really enjoyed about teaching the different classes at the American Red Cross.

“(I like) the fact that it’s not useless knowledge,” Imhoff said. “It’s actually knowledge that you can apply to make a difference or to actually save someone’s life.”

She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social services at Lubbock Christian University and works at a local social services program, as well as volunteering for Red Cross.

When Imhoff isn’t teaching classes, she is responding to late night calls of a disaster like any Disaster Action Team Captain would. DAT is disaster response unit of people who respond to disasters at any time of the day, providing counseling, clean-up kits and shelters.

“I think sometimes it’s emotionally draining, especially when you have to get up at 3 a.m. and go out there,” she said. “It’s a lot of quickly preparing yourself to cope with someone else’s emotions. But, when all is said and done and you’ve taken care of business, it’s rewarding. It’s kind of like a natural high because you did something helpful, something that no one else could do at 3 a.m. but you.”

Even though Imhoff has school, work and volunteering to juggle she said it’s all about organization and time management.

She said at the end of the day, knowing she taught someone to save a life and gave them the knowledge they need, makes it all worth it.

“I think just in general, it’s all very rewarding, but on different levels,” she said. “Going out on a DAT call is different, it’s kind of more of them warm fuzzy (feelings). In regards to teaching classes, I think it’s just the idea that you empowered somebody to save someone’s life is very rewarding.”

Even after nine years, Imhoff still has a good time with the American Red Cross.

“I think it’s a lot of fun and I think it’s very rewarding to be able to provide assistance in someone’s time of need,” she said.

Although Imhoff has never had to use CPR on anyone, she knows how to save a life if she ever needs to because of her time with the American Red Cross.

“(With) Red Cross, I’ve got life saving skills,” she said. “I think overall, I think it’s a very supportive. The chapters are all very supportive of their volunteers and employees and I think that’s helpful to maintain and to make them want to be a part of Red Cross.”

To join Erin Imhoff and other hardworking volunteers at the South Plains Regional Chapter, visit our website and learn more.

Judy Pevytoe Volunteers For the People She Helps

By Kassidy Ketron

Intern

Being part of the American Red Cross isn’t just a place for volunteer, Judy Pevytoe, to help people in a disaster. It gives her a purpose.

“I love the mission of the Red Cross,” the volunteer services events team coordinator said. “I love what it stands for and I love helping people. It makes me feel like I have purpose.”

Pevytoe has volunteered with the South Plains Regional chapter for about a year and a half, with about 4,000 volunteer hours under her belt.

She first learned about the Red Cross when we was out shopping.

“I was bored and wanted something to do,” Pevytoe said. “I happened to be out at the mall and Molly (Mabery, former volunteer specialist) had a table out there and I was talking to her and she made the Red Cross sound interesting.”

After she had a stroke in 2004, Pevytoe was spending time at home because she was disabled.

Despite her medical problems, she volunteers anywhere from 50 to 60 hours per week.

“We’ve had high school kids up here volunteering,” Pevytoe said, “all the way up to, the oldest couple I know that are volunteers are in their 70s. And then of course, like me, I’m disabled and I work up here, of course, healthy can, too.”

Last year, she was awarded the Golden Presidential Award and Rookie of the Year.

Anyone that is interested in volunteering, Pevytoe said can do anything from office work, service to the armed forces, teach CPR classes to disaster response.

“(I like Red Cross) because it is a good organization and without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” she said.

During her year and a half with the American Red Cross, Pevytoe said the disasters that stick out most to her are apartment fires.

“They’re so massive,” she said. “You know, when we have an apartment fire, we call everybody in and everybody just jumps in and does what needs to be done.”

Pevytoe said the most rewarding thing about volunteering is the gratitude victims of a disaster have.

“Most of the time you can see a relief and they’re real grateful that we’re there to help them with whatever we can help them with,” she said. “That look and to know that you’ve helped them (makes it worth it) and a lot of times you get a hug out of it.”

To join the American Red Cross South Plains Regional Chapter, visit redcross.org/volunteer and see how you can help.

Severe Weather Awareness Week — Make Sure You Are Prepared

Photo courtesy of National Weather Service

By Kassidy Ketron
Intern

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, which means it’s time to make sure you are prepared in case bad weather hits your city.

1. Know Your Risk

• What hazardous weather can affect the area where you live and work and how could it impact you and your family?
• Bookmark weather.gov to get the latest forecast information
• Follow the National Weather Service on Facebook and Twitter
• Read the State of the Climate reports to discover historical trends

2. Emergency Preparedness Kit

Before disaster strikes it’s a good idea to have supplies prepared that you might not otherwise think to get during the fact.

At minimum, you should have:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit – Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area 

3. Family Disaster Plan

It is important for your family to be as prepared as possible when faced in case of emergency, which is why we think you need to make plans and practice what you would do in such an event.

• Meet with your family or household members.
• Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
• Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
• If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.
• Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency
• Plan what to do if you have to evacuate 

4. First aid and CPR/AED certified

You never know what might happen during severe weather. Planning for the worst, isn’t always a bad thing. Make sure at least one person in your household is first aid and CPR/AED certified.

• Visit redcross.org/takeaclass
• Attend class
• Get certified
• Congratulations!

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great time to learn more about where you live and the weather that can affect you. It’s also a great time to get prepared. For more information visit our website.

Strikes, Spares and Super Heroes kicks of 2014 Heroes Campaign

By Kassidy Ketron
Intern

On Friday, the American Red Cross South Plains Regional chapter received great support from members of the community at Strikes, Spares and Super Heroes: Red Cross Bowling for Relief.

Almost 100 people of all ages joined in support for the Red Cross to help kick off the 2014 Heroes Campaign and raised more than $1,000.

One group that was very active in not only support, but having a good time was Delta Sigma Phi, a fraternity at Texas Tech.

Not only did they have fun, but one of their members, Beau Gold, was the winner of  the American Red Cross’ bowling tournament trophy.

Beau Gould

Delta Sigma Phi vice president, Aric Denton, said he enjoyed spending time with his fraternity brothers and having fun for a good cause.

“We are getting some community service hours,” he said, “helping out the community and it’s been a really fun event and all my brothers are here having a great time too.”

Tiffany Downing, major gifts associate for the South Plains Regional Chapter, said she enjoyed seeing how much fun everyone was having and helping their community at the same time.

“It’s so great to see people enthusiastic about helping members of their community who are the ones that will really benefit from this great event,” she said. “We’ve had an awesome turnout and the smiles on everyone’s faces make it that much more rewarding.”

Strikes Spares and Super Heroes: Red Cross Bowling for Relief, which kicked off the 2014 Heroes Campaign, began the initiative to raise $30,000 for the South Plains.

Proceeds, Downing said, will help families in the area affected by disaster when they need support the most.

“This campaign is to help the American Red Cross continue to offer support to that family that wakes up in the middle of the night to a house fire and has lost everything,” she said. “With these donations we are able to provide them with necessities like clothing, toothbrushes and even a warm meal.”

Amber McCloud

Amber McCloud brought family and friends to the event for a fun evening of bowling and games at Main Event.

McCloud serves on the board for the South Plains Regional Chapter and said she’s always happy to help the American Red Cross’ vision, which is to prevent and alleviate suffering the face of disaster through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

“The whole family is here and we brought some friends, too,” she said. “Knowing that we’re helping people that may live next door or down the street from us is the best part of the event and the Heroes Campaign.”

Downing said not only were people quick to join in on the fun, but some even signed up to volunteer with the American Red Cross and donated to the organization.

“We are so lucky to live in such a great community and be part of such an awesome organization like the American Red Cross,” she said. “None of this would be possible without our volunteers and the people here at Main Event that having a blast with their families and friends, and helping out their community.”

Anyone from individuals, churches and businesses can donate to the Heroes Campaign. To find out more visit our website.

Humanitarians to honor during Black History Month

By Kassidy Ketron

Intern

In honor of the end of Black History Month, we would like to remind you of a few very important people to the American Red Cross and how you can honor their memory.

Frances Elliot Davis

We’ll start with Frances Elliot Davis. She was born in 1881 in Shelby, North Carolina and was determined to chase her dreams of becoming a nurse during a time when it was difficult to do so for an African American woman.

She became one of the first African American women to be accepted to Freedman’s Hospital Training for Nurses and passed the exam given to white nurses, which was considered more rigorous, she became the first African American to attend the American Red Cross at Columbia University.

She served as director of nurses at a hospital, organized a training school for nurses, managed health clinics, established a day nursery and caught the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt, just to name a few of her accomplishments.

Davis spent most of her life dedicated to helping others and volunteering her time. Let her inspire you to volunteer your time and services to the American Red Cross.

Frederick Douglass  — photo courtesy of PBS

American antislavery author and activist Frederick Douglass is said to have assisted American Red Cross founder Clara Barton to rally national support for the organization.

Douglass and Barton met after the Civil War and Douglass lent his support in 1882 to the Red Cross “Appeal to the American People” to raise money to assist victims of the Mississippi River floods.

His support for Barton and the Red Cross led him to become one of the founding members and his early participation in its creation is said to have paved the way for Steve D. Bullock to become the American Red Cross’s first African American Acting President in 1999.

Not only did Douglass lead the early civil rights movement, but he recognized the importance of rallying support and funds for the American Red Cross.

To honor the memory of Douglass and help people in your community who have been affected by a disaster donate to your local chapter.

Jerome H. Holland

Jerome H. Holland, the Red Cross’ first African-American Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Red Cross, led the organization’s dedication to the health and well-being of victims needing blood services.

The volunteer position of Chairman is the highest leading official position in the Red Cross. He served as Chairman, until he passed away in New York on January 13, 1985. During his time as Chairman, he facilitated a positive relationship with the Red Crescent. The Red Cross renamed the research and development lab in honor of Dr. Holland in 1987.

Dr. Holland spent his life his life helping other. He served on nine boards of major U.S. companies, researched for the Pew Memorial Trust, was the first African American to be awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Award in 1972, as well as serving as the first African-American Chairman of Planned Parenthood in 1968.

In honor of the many things Dr. Holland did to help others and his country, find out ways you can prepare to help others by taking a class and becoming certified in one of the American Red Cross’ many certification classes.

The American Red Cross is proud to honor the many humanitarians who helped make the organization what it is today. Do your part in honoring these noble people by visiting our website and seeing how you can help.