American Red Cross
Donna Titman, Executive Director
404 East 3rd St.
Grand Island, NE 68801
308-382-3790
Email: redcross@giredcross.org
Web Site: www.giredcross.org
Joined the Heartland United Way in 1960

Mission Statement
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, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Programs:

Disaster Services
The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance to victims of disaster as mandated by Congressional Charter in 1905. The Chapter representative responds to every single-family emergency in Hall, Hamilton, Greeley, Merrick, Sherman, and Howard Counties, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Over 200 staff and volunteers are trained to respond when a need occurs, providing emergency food, shelter and clothing.

Local volunteers can be sent to other areas of the state or country to help other recover from large scale disasters. All disaster services are free.

Armed Forces Emergency Services
Armed Forces Emergency Services is the second of two programs every Red Cross Chapter is required, by Congressional Charter, to provide. Red Cross emergency communication services and emergency financial assistance are available to service members and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Red Cross visits with the family, verifies the message and then sends emergency messages about death or serious illness of a family member or the birth of a child. All information is verified by Red Cross caseworkers to help military commanders make informed decisions about emergency or personal leave.

Blood Services
A largely public side of the American Red Cross is their involvement in recruiting volunteer blood donors. Bloodmobiles are held daily (Monday thru Thursday 12:00 to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) in Grand Island and six times a year in Aurora. Businesses and surrounding communities in Hall, Hamilton, Greeley, Merrick, Sherman, and Howard Counties also sponsor bloodmobiles throughout the year. These bloodmobiles are run by volunteers and help maintain the necessary blood supply needed to be available for emergencies. In these modern times, even with rapidly advancing technology, there is still no substitute for blood. Blood is essential for life.

Health and Safety Services
American Red Cross CPR and First Aid classes focus on prevention as well as responding. The knowledge and skills learned in training help save lives both in prevention as well as response. The Central Plains Chapter sponsors classes each month, teaching Adult and Infant and Child CPR, First Aid and AED skills to the public. All classes are also offered to area businesses and can often be taught at the workplace. The Chapter also trains Water Safety Instructors to teach swim lessons and Lifeguards for area swimming pools.

Volunteer Services
The American Red Cross is an organization led by volunteers. They are vital in the service delivery of all assistance in our communities. There are over 800 registered volunteers for the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross.