Local Red Cross chapter has busy 2017

VW independent/submitted information

It was a busy year, both nationally and locally for the America Red Cross. In a year of record-breaking disasters, the national Red Cross organization mobilized quickly to help people in need, providing more food, relief supplies, and shelter stays in 2017 than in all of the last four years combined.

In just 45 days, the Red Cross responded to six of the year’s largest and most complex disasters. This included back-to-back hurricanes — Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate — the deadliest week of wildfires in California history, and the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history in Las Vegas. Several area Red Cross volunteers also assisted at some of those disaster sites.

Locally, the Red Cross fulfilled just as many needs. In Van Wert County, the American Red Cross:

• Assisted 17 families affected by home fires and other disasters.
• Trained 150 individuals in preparedness, health, and safety courses.
• Provided 25 services to military members through the Service to the Armed Forces program.
• Collected 1,137 units of blood, which has the potential to impact more than 3,400 lives.
• Installed over 100 smoke alarms, making more than 40 homes safer.
• Trained over 425 elementary students in disaster preparedness through the Pillowcase Project.
• Provided more than 40 volunteers that donated approximately 10,000 hours of service to Van Wert County Hospital.

“We are blessed to live in a community that is full of everyday heroes who help others in need,” said Derek Stemen, executive director of the West Central Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We thank all of our volunteers and community partners for their tremendous support and for all they do for the community. I’m excited to see how our volunteers will continue to impact the community in 2018.”

Volunteers make up about 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce. By mobilizing the power of volunteers, the Red Cross responds to a community disaster every eight minutes, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected.

It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans, and their families at home and around the world. It collects 14,000 units of blood every day to fulfill the country’s needs, and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety, and other lifesaving skills. And it makes communities safer by installing free smoke alarms all across the nation.

Consider joining the Red Cross today! To volunteer, contact the Red Cross at 419.905.8302 or by email at WestCentralOhio@redcross.org.