St. Louis Area Chapter designated as one of the nation's top performers
**For an interview with Joe White, chief executive officer of the St. Louis Area Chapter, please call 314.406.1920.**
St. Louis, Thursday, June 14, 2007 - The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter has been named one of the 80 best-performing chapters in the United States by the American National Red Cross, headquartered in Washington, D.C. In 2006, approximately 800 chapters were evaluated and were scored on a comprehensive set of performance criteria. The St. Louis Area Chapter achieved the important distinction of ranking in the top 10 percent.
"This is an outstanding achievement for our chapter," said Joseph C. White, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
"This award is the direct result of the hard work of our staff and volunteers, including the members of our local board, and would not have been possible without the support of the St. Louis community."
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The St. Louis Area Chapter, supported by nearly 100 employees and approximately 1,400 volunteers, serves the St. Louis metropolitan area by providing lifesaving health and safety training, responding to local disasters, assisting members of the military and their families, and providing international services such as tracing, messaging, and refugee support.
About Local Red Cross Programs and Services:
The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, a United Way agency, touched the community more than 410,000 times in 2006 through diverse programs and services. The following includes a summary of local programs and services, along with the number of lives touched last year through community outreach:
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Armed Forces Emergency Services provides emergency communications, financial assistance and personal counseling for military personnel whose duty prevents them from being with their families. Over 6,300 service members and families were assisted in 2006.
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More than 1,700 blood drives were staffed by Red Cross volunteers in 2006.
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Community Disaster Education consists of a series of presentations designed to teach individuals, families, groups and corporations how to prepare for and respond to a disaster, such as a fire, tornado or earthquake. Over 72,000 St. Louisans participated in this program in 2006.
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Disaster relief includes local, national and international 24-hour response services, financial assistance and other emergency needs that arise following a disaster. In 2006, more than 18,400 meals and snacks were served to those in need. In addition, over 1,100 local families lost their homes to fire and received Red Cross assistance such as emergency food, clothing and shelter. Finally, more than 600 local schools, churches and community centers were designated as potential Red Cross shelters during times of disaster.
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Health and Safety products include Automated External Defibrillators, emergency supply kits, first aid kits, breathing barriers and safety instructional guides. These products are available to the public as important preparedness resources.
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Health and Safety training in CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillators, and aquatics safety is offered throughout the metropolitan area. More than 85,600 St. Louisans were trained in CPR and First Aid in 2006, while more than 42,500 received instruction through water safety curriculum such as Learn-to-Swim and lifeguard certification.
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HIV/AIDS education is designed to raise awareness of the deadly disease while promoting prevention methods throughout the community. In 2006, over 27,700 community members participated in this training.
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International Humanitarian Law presentations are delivered through a partnership with Washington University law students to educate teenagers about the Geneva Conventions and the importance of humanitarian values. More than 3,700 people were educated in 2006.
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International outreach includes tracing and messaging services for the families of those impacted by war and disasters, support for Holocaust victims' families and international humanitarian relief. In 2006, 32 international traces were initiated locally to reconnect families separated by war or armed conflict.
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Lifeline is an emergency notification service for the elderly and those who live alone. Nearly 1,400 Red Cross subscribers gain peace of mind through this system.
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YouthCorps is a peer-to-peer educational program designed to teach young people lifesaving techniques while instilling the importance of community service, volunteerism and leadership. In 2006, more than 150 teens were trained in emergency preparedness and leadership development. In turn, these youth educated over 3,800 of their peers.
"It is our privilege to serve the St. Louis metropolitan area through a humanitarian organization like the Red Cross," said White.
"While much has changed throughout the last 90 years of service to this great community, one thing remains constant - volunteers are the heart of who we are, what we do and what we stand for. I am grateful for and inspired by the powerful imprint that Red Cross volunteers have left, and continue to leave, on all those who depend on their service."
For More Information:
To learn more about the programs and services available to the community through the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, or the Chapter's recent designation as a top performer nationwide, please call 314.516.2800 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American National Red Cross:
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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