GET TO KNOW: American Red Cross

Listen to this article

Last Updated on October 7, 2019 by cassnetwork

The American Red Cross Northwest Indiana Chapter is one of the organizations that receives funds from United Way of Cass County.  The programs which are supported by United Way’s funding include the following:

DISASTER: The Red Cross provides relief, support and financial assistance to victims of disaster and helps all Indiana residents to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, most commonly home fires. Through our home fire campaign, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to install over 750 free smoke alarms, educate hundreds of households on home fire safety and create fire evacuation plans for Cass County residents. Our capacity to provide disaster services is directly linked to strong collaborations with community partners, and our dedicated corps of volunteers. Another component of our preparedness programing is building resilience in communities throughout Indiana. Organizations that are prepared to respond to disasters and other emergencies are critical to building and sustaining resilient communities. That is why the American Red Cross launched Ready Rating in 2008. Ready Rating is a free, web-based, self-paced organizational emergency preparedness program that helps organizations of all types prepare appropriately, respond effectively, and recover quickly from disasters and other emergencies. Ready Rating tools meet or exceed the minimum standards for organizational preparedness set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Businesses, houses of worship, schools, and nonprofits can connect to free tools that will increase their emergency preparedness as well as provide access to a resource center that includes preparedness tools such as activities and exercises, so businesses, employees and students can better develop and practice preparedness plans. More information about this valuable program can be found at readyrating.org.

SERVICE TO THE ARMED FORCES: Every day across America, men and women answer our nation’s call to serve in the United States Armed Forces. These heroes and their families assume great responsibility and face challenges unique to military life, including multiple deployments, separation from loved ones and risk of injury and death. Our continuum of care model allows us to support military members and their families throughout their time of service and after.

BLOOD SERVICES: We are the single largest supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S., providing nearly 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply for medical emergencies and lifesaving treatment of chronic illnesses.

PREPAREDNESS, HEALTH AND SAFETY: We are the nation’s leading provider of health and safety courses, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, automated external defibrillation (AED), lifeguard training and swim lessons. The Red Cross builds community resiliency by giving people the tools and confidence to respond to health emergencies through PHSS certification courses.

For more information about United Way of Cass County, visit them online at unitedwayofcasscounty.org.

Cass County Online