Natural or manmade disasters can strike quickly and without warning. In 2009, 810 specially trained Red Cross volunteers responded to 204 local house fires and other emergencies. Day and night, Red Cross volunteers facilitated immediate emergency relief such as food, shelter, clothing and grief counseling to 259 families.

 

The year also brought a record number of people to cold shelters in Palm Beach County. In 2009, the Red Cross opened cold shelters on seven nights, providing 841 people with cozy, safe places to sleep and warm meals. When wildfires, flooding and hurricanes threatened other parts of the U.S., 18 local volunteers deployed to the impacted areas, extending the same emergency relief beyond our community to help others.

 

In addition to responding to disasters, the Red Cross also has an important role in preparing the community for disasters. In 2009, Red Cross community education reached 53,269 people. Red Cross disaster and safety education taught individuals the importance of disaster preparedness, minimizing the potential threat of house fires, hurricanes and more.

 

As the nation's preeminent preparedness and safety training organization, the American Red Cross is out in the community every day, teaching a variety of safety courses using the latest research, science, best practices and expert opinion. In 2009, a network of 963 authorized Red Cross instructors taught 126,608 community members the skills they need to respond effectively to emergencies. Of those enrollees, an astounding 86% learned Red Cross aquatics programs, while 16,901 people received premiere First Aid, CPR and AED training.

 

Through the generosity of various grants, Red Cross Health & Safety programs were able to reach more individuals. The Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation made it possible for Safe Baby presentations to be made to more than 400 parents of low income communities. The Jarden Consumer Solutions Community Fund provided resources to give babysitter training to more than 40 at-risk youth in sothern Palm Beach County.

 

The American Red Cross has a unique mandate to educate the American public about its guiding principles and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) framework. International humanitarian law is everyone's concern. In a world where warfare and civil strife are a daily reality for millions, we taught 1,977 community members about the important principles of IHL in 2009.

 

The Red Cross also has access to the national clearinghouse for persons seeking the fates of loved ones missing since the Holocaust and its aftermath through its Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center. In 2009, we assisted local residents searching for information on 152 individuals, such as proof of internment, forced/slave labor, or evacuation from former Soviet territories. Through the strength of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network and the assistance of 12 local tracing volunteers, families separated by the pains of armed conflict or disaster can reconnect.

 

 

 

The American Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis.  Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family. In 2009, the local Red Cross delivered 250 of these communications, giving service members peace of mind. When they are on a mission, in training or stationed far from home and leaving cell phones and emails behind, their local Red Cross connects them to home.

 

Local Red Cross staff and volunteers briefed 495 departing service members and their families regarding available support services, and explained how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment. The Red Cross also provided 306 active duty and community-based military and veterans with information, referral and access to financial assistance in partnership with military aid societies.

 

Every day, 2,486 volunteers make a difference in the community. They help comfort victims of house fires and teach pet first aid classes. They help at special fundraising events, provide crucial administrative support and deploy across the country to extend their help. In 2009, the Red Cross became a place for professionals out of work to keep their resumes current and develop new talents. There truly is a volunteer opportunity to fit every interest and skill at the Red Cross.

 

In 2009, the Red Cross youth program, which engaged 312 young volunteers, added the opportunity to apply for the Congressional Youth Award. The award recognizes initiative, achievement and service in young people. Red Cross school clubs exist at seven local schools, boasting 144 members. The Red Cross provides these individuals with leadership opportunities, special development activities on days off from school and community service hours that meet college entrance requirements.