March is National Red Cross Month and we are asking people to join us and help the Red Cross support their community by making a donation, volunteering, or taking a class. For nearly 100 years, U.S. presidents have called on
March is National Red Cross Month and we are asking people to join us and help the Red Cross support their community by making a donation, volunteering, or taking a class.
For nearly 100 years, U.S. presidents have called on people to support the American Red Cross and its humanitarian mission. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim March as Red Cross Month in 1943. Since that time, President Obama and every president since have issued proclamations designating March as Red Cross Month.
The Red Cross works tirelessly to provide help and hope to people in need, down the street, across the country, or around the world. We respond to disasters, help members of the military, and teach lifesaving skills.
The American Red Cross on Kaua‘i works tirelessly to keep the people in Kaua‘i County safe, healthy and prepared.
Last fiscal year, the American Red Cross on Kaua‘i responded to six disasters, helping 21 family members get back on their feet and start rebuilding their lives after tragedy struck. We opened one shelter due to flooding, sheltering two individuals who needed to evacuate or were unable to return to their residences.
During the tsunami warning we had nine shelters designated as holding areas which served over 1,800 people. We provided 223 people with disaster response training and reached 1,212 individuals in the community with disaster preparedness information. We also taught critical skills like first aid, CPR, and aquatics to 904 individuals in Kaua‘i County as part of our mission of saving lives.
To date this fiscal year, the American Red Cross on Kaua‘i has already responded to house fires in Kapa‘a, Koloa and Hanapepe, providing assistance to 12 family members.
Our strong cadre of 55 active Red Cross volunteers care deeply about the community and help us further the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross on Kaua‘i. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers are on-call 24/7 to respond to disasters that occur. These volunteers are trained in shelter operations, damage assessment, individual client casework services including financial assistance, crisis counseling and immediate first aid services. All disaster response and training are provided free of charge.
We are here each and every day in Kaua‘i County for families who need us.
With the threat of a pandemic flu, terrorist attack, and major disasters, the American Red Cross is more relevant and necessary than ever before. It is not “if,” but “when” a major disaster in Hawai‘i will occur. Kaua‘i is especially vulnerable to catastrophic disasters like hurricanes, and must be able to stand on its own. Should a catastrophic statewide disaster occur and we are not able to bring in outside reinforcements right away, having trained volunteers on island ready to respond to disasters is critical.
During Red Cross Month, we hope the people of Kaua‘i County will take time to get involved with the Red Cross, by signing up for CPR, first aid or other lifesaving courses; giving a financial gift that can really save the day, or by getting involved as a volunteer.
One way to help is to shop at our Awesome Online Auction at www.hawaiiredcross.org from March 1 to March 20. There will be great deals available for a great cause. You can bid on a brand new Toyota Prius, Hyundai Sonata or Audi A4; tickets to anywhere Hawaiian Airlines flies; neighbor island trips; hotel stays in London, Dublin, and Beijing; restaurant, spa, golf certificates; and more!
An event coming up is our annual Hats Off event. Off duty firefighters, police, military, businesses, clubs and individual volunteers will take their “hats off” for the American Red Cross and ask the public to fill their hats with donations. Volunteers will collect donations at Big Save ‘Ele‘ele, Walmart, Safeway, Big Save Hanalei, and Foodland in Princeville on April 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, volunteers will be at Walmart on April 1, from 4 to 7 p.m.; and on April 2 and April 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please kokua and give what you can.
If you are interested in volunteering, or to register for a CPR or First Aid Class please call the Kaua‘i Red Cross office at 245-4919.
Your donations are much needed and appreciated especially in these tough economic times. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on the generosity of Hawai‘i’s people to provide critical services to your community. For more information, please call 845-4919 visit our website at www.hawaiiredcross.org.
• Laura Burman is the Kaua‘i County director of the American Red Cross.
