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The American Red Cross is well known for its role in disaster response. But not many people understand the organization’s comprehensive 365-day mission on the local level, which includes CPR training, responding to fires, working with groups to certify lifeguards and babysitters, communicating emergency messages to the military overseas, and much more.

“The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, 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,” noted Central Mississippi Chapter CEO Mary Hammett Hamilton.

The Red Cross certainly helps make Windi Gates’ job easier. Every month, Gates, the staff development coordinator for Boswell Regional Center, organizes CPR classes for the center’s 600-plus employees who must be recertified every year in lifesaving CPR, First Aid and adult Automated External Defibrillation.

To keep up with the demand, Gates counts on Ike Raley, the chief CPR instructor for Boswell, certified by the Red Cross Central Mississippi Chapter, to train the center’s instructors who teach four classes per month.

“The Red Cross has been very beneficial to us,” emphasized Gates.

John Sewell, director of corporate communications for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, said the health and wellness company has many activities built around exercise, including 17 walking classes per week.

“These classes are led by all levels of management, and we felt it was important for the class leaders to be CPR-certified by the Red Cross,” he explained. “We’re very appreciative of our partnership with Red Cross, which helps us remain healthy and keep an eye out for each other.”

Missy Odom also counts on assistance from the Red Cross. Odom, the volunteer and community relations coordinator at Rankin Medical Center, a 143-bed hospital in Brandon, typically hosts several classes a year for dozens of local girls between the ages of 11 and 15 to promote and provide babysitter training.

“So many girls are interested in babysitting, but they don’t have the right education to do so,” explained Odom. “Most mothers want to make sure their children are in safe hands when leaving home. Red Cross is able to teach the girls about being responsible and the qualities that it takes to be a great babysitter. They’re taught everything from how to feed and dress the baby to how to handle an emergency situation. Red Cross instructors work with the girls on a one-on-one basis and take the time to really prepare them for this extremely important job.”

Newly elected State Rep. Kevin McGee sleeps easier at night, knowing the vital role the Red Cross plays in communicating emergency messages to loved ones serving overseas in the military. McGee’s wife, Dawn, was recently deployed to the Middle East, leaving at home McGee and the couple’s two children, Brice, 11, and Kaylee, 7. She is scheduled to return to Mississippi in June.

“Not having to worry about finding a way to get in touch with my wife if an emergency arises is calming in its own way,” he said, adding that “it also provides a peace of mind for our two young children.”

The Red Cross, explained Hamilton, has had a long-standing agreement with the Armed Forces to facilitate emergency communications from members of families stateside to members of the Armed Forces who were deployed overseas.

“Generally, the Red Cross is contacted by either a family member or some other person when there is an important occurrence — such as a death, a birth, or a critically ill relative — and a message needs to reach a member of the Armed Forces overseas,” she noted. “The role of the Red Cross is to verify the emergency; contact the military to initiate the communication channel, and facilitate the message to the family member’s commanding officer, who determines whether or not to send the person back home. In some emergency situations, the Red Cross provides financial assistance to the families, which is reimbursed by the Armed Forces at a later date.”

Congressionally mandated but not federally funded, Red Cross relies heavily on contributions, revenue and grants.

“Many think we’re funded by the government or receive most of our funds from United Way,” Hamilton pointed out. “A very, very small portion of our budget (less than 2 percent) comes from United Way. We solicit funds locally from individuals, businesses large and small, and corporate and private foundations. Our board members have the primary responsibility for supporting the Chapter’s work financially and by helping to raise sufficient funds each year to enable the Chapter to fulfill its service mission. This is done through solicitations through direct mail requests, grant applications, support from local area churches, and so forth.”

The medical community, Hamilton encouraged, can help support the mission of the Red Cross by making a financial commitment each year to help the Central Mississippi Chapter; enrolling employees in safety classes; making a plan for employees and business assets in case of fire, storms or other disasters that may occur; obtaining Red Cross emergency kits in sufficient numbers for employees; and staying informed to the needs of families and individuals in Central Mississippi in terms of safety issues.

“We thank all corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals who make possible our critical service,” said Hamilton. “Their gifts are greatly appreciated.”



April 2008

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