We've only just begun ...

Local Red Cross volunteers help prepare food and drinks for New Orleans residents seeking shelter from Hurricane Gustav in 2008.

Red Cross month is coming to an end, but there is still time to join your local chapter. The Louisville Area Chapter is always looking for new volunteers to help out in times of disaster, in our call center assisting families of those serving in the military, and in the classroom training others in basic first aid and CPR.

But these aren’t the only areas in need of volunteers. Contact the Louisville Area Chapter today to find out how your skills can help the Red Cross fulfill its mission. Visit louisville-redcross.org or call 589-4450 for more information.

We Want You!

Providing immediate emergency support during disasters and offering communication and support to members of our Armed Forces is no easy task. The American Red Cross depends on volunteers to fulfill our mission.

Here in Kentuckiana members of Disaster Action Teams are on call day and night to offer assistance and support to those affected by home fires. In the Louisville Area Chapter Community Emergency Services—better known as the Call Center—volunteers man the phones 24/7 to make sure each emergency is responded to and every soldier enduring a family emergency makes it home.

During March is Red Cross Month, the Louisville Area Chapter gives extra thanks these men and women that make up 96% of Red Cross workers. But our work force is always looking for new members.

Become a Red Cross volunteer today and learn how you can make a difference in your community. Contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit redcross.org for more information.

Earthquake Update

Haiti relief efforts following the January 12 earthquake are ongoing in spite of the topic’s absence from media headlines. Here are a few factoids to give you an idea of the work that has been done and the work that is still going on in the Caribbean country.

• $106.4 million has been spent or allocated to cover food, water, shelter, and health and family services
• Tents and tarps have been given to roughly half of the estimated 1.3 million homeless; work continues to provide emergency shelter for the remaining people by May 1
• Financial assistance and livelihood programs are in the works to help families and business owners recover from the disaster
• Overall the Red Cross has helped 1.9 million Haitians

But the work is far from over, and our efforts in Chile also continue after the devastating earthquake that occurred on February 27 causing damage to 500,000 homes.

Donors just like you make it possible to aide these countries during their time of need. By donating to your local American Red Cross, you can help those hit by disaster by helping us provide them with food, water, shelter and other emergency needs.

91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes toward our humanitarian efforts whether it is in Haiti or in your home town.

For more information on how you can make a difference by donating to the Red Cross, call 1-800 RED CROSS or visit redcross.org.

Every Two Seconds

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, but only 8 percent of eligible donors take the time to give. Becoming a blood donor is simple, and the process takes only an hour of your time. Just think, setting aside one hour of your schedule to donate blood could save up to three lives. And after 56 days your body's red blood cell count will be replenished and you can donate again.

To schedule a blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org.

Down the Street. Across the Country. Around the World.

Since 1881 American Red Cross humanitarian efforts have served people across the nation. Today Red Cross chapters continue to serve American communities through disaster response, blood services, health and safety training and services to the armed forces, but we could not do all of this without the support of the American people. Whether it be through blood donations, financial donations or donating your own personal time, your contributions make it possible to help those in need.

Stay tune this month for updates on your local chapter's Red Cross Month events and information on how you can get involved helping others down the street. Across the country. Around the World.