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American Red Cross- Gaston County Chapter http://gastoncounty.redcross.org
American Red Cross-Gaston County Chapter
190 S. Oakland Street
Gastonia, NC 28052Map thisThe mission of the American Red Cross is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Gaston County Chapter serves all residents of Gaston County. The Gaston County Chapter assisted 68 familes devastated by fire and other natural...
Emergency ServicesOur Emergency Services department is comprised of two primary services, both mandated by Congressional Charter. SAF (Service to Armed Forces) and Disaster Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SAF works with local military families to assist in matters concerning life, death, birth, illness and financial emergencies. During the past year 98 cases for emergency communications and financial assistance were opened. Disaster Services provided assistance to 68 local families devastated by fire and other natural disasters. There were 7 local canteens this year. We had our second annual chapter and two nuclear exercises this past year, again our partners and volunteers played a vital role. Our goal for this year has been to build capacities in human resources and material resources; we are well on our way to accomplishing this goal.
Health & Safety ServicesOur Health & Safety Services mission is to train, empower and prepare individuals to prevent and respond to emergencies. The Health & Safety Department has formed partnerships with over 200 local businesses to provide training to their employees throughout the county. Over 10,400 Gaston County residents participated in CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), Lifeguard training, Water Safety, Babysitting, Bloodborne Pathogens and HIV/AIDS education this year. Our chapter implemented an Instructor Club for volunteer instructors in January 2008. We currently have 20 volunteer instructors enrolled in the program, and they teach 90% of our community classes. Our volunteer instructors also perform blood pressure screening at health fairs, and F.A.C.E. (First Aid & CPR for everyone) training at churches and local businesses.
Blood ServicesThe Red Cross serves the local community every day by providing blood to all hospitals in our immediate area. We are a local blood provider in the truest sense of the word. Blood collected in our area is tested, processed, safely stored and distributed to area hospitals from Red Cross facilities in Charlotte. The Gaston County chapter of the Red Cross collected approximately 6800 pints of life saving blood during the past year.
Volunteer ProgramVolunteers constitute a remarkable 96 percent of the Red Cross workforce nationwide. There is no way the organization could afford to employ staff to respond to some 70,000 disasters, train 15 million people in the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies, support blood drives during which more that four million people give blood and help thousands of deployed U.S. service members stay connected with their families. The Gaston County chapter of the American Red Cross currently has over 250 dedicated volunteers that provided approximately 6100 volunteer hours this past year.
Youth ProgramThe Gaston County Red Cross youth had a very successful year. Red Cross youth are trained and certified in CPR and First Aid. Ten participants were also certified in Disaster Services. Community activities included participating in Run for the Money and the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. The group made and delivered Easter baskets to the children’s ward at Gaston Memorial Hospital. They held a Valentine Day party for the Adult Day Care Center complete with cake, drinks, and a take home gift bag loaded with goodies. The group presented Scrubby bear to children at the YMCA during the flu season and made comfort kits for Red Cross Disaster Services. Two youth attended the Red Cross National Conference held in Baltimore in January and four attended the Preparedness conference at Fort Fisher in April. The Red Cross youth had 36 members this year representing 8 local high schools as well as several home schooled members.
