Suffolk Red Cross - What We Do

Disaster Services

Disaster Services provides immediate emergency assistance to families affected by disasters of all sizes and provides additional help if government-funded programs or family resources are inadequate or unavailable. The American Red Cross program is coordinated with public safety and emergency service agencies. Initially, assistance may be provided as mass care in the form of feeding, shelter, first aid, and supplementary medical care. Other immediate assistance includes distribution of personal care kits, provision of needed blood and blood products, and handling of welfare inquiries from concerned families outside the disaster area. As soon as possible, the American Red Cross will meet the emergency needs of individual families so they can resume normal living, and will refer them to government-funded resources for additional help. The organization serves as an advocate in assisting families to get supplemental help, when necessary.

When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there. This year we provided disaster assistance to 55 families, 167 Suffolk residents (104 adults, 63 children) including lodging, food, clothing and other basic needs to resume normal living. More than $30,420 was granted directly to the families. The chapter responded to 31 incidents this year including responding to the April 2008 tornado by supporting the City of Suffolk shelter at King's Fork High School which was open for 2 nights, housing more than 100 people. Four American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles served more than 11,400 meals and snacks and distributed more than 4,700 bulk items such as comfort kits, bottled water and clean up kits. 168 client cases were opened with 148 receiving financial assistance and 20 for service only. 209 health and 95 mental health contacts were made. 225 volunteers and staff contributed more than 8,000 hours. In-kind donations totaled more than $46,500. More than $200,000 was committed to the relief operation.

Health & Safety Services

Health and Safety Services teaches adults and children how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. In Community First Aid and Safety, we teach you how to provide first aid to an accident victim, perform CPR on someone having a heart attack, and assist someone who is choking.

We also offer classes in Water Safety, Lifeguarding, Babysitter’s Training, and HIV/AIDS education.

From first aid, CPR and AED training to swimming and lifeguarding, American Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives. This year, 96 volunteer instructors trained 3,208 persons in first aid, CPR, water safety, babysitting, HIV/AIDS Education, etc. 1,252 persons participated in First Aid for Everyone sessions. We conducted 4 KidCare ID events, providing 132 ID kits to local families. We also provided health screenings such as blood pressure checks at 22 locations, checking 726 people.

Blood Services

The Suffolk Chapter works closely with the Mid Atlantic Blood Region to conduct blood drives throughout sufolk.

In the local area, the Red Cross needs 550 blood donors every day to meet demand.

We need your help. Giving blood is an easy and safe way to save a life. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment.

Blood donors must be at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Donors need to present identification showing their social security number.

Over the last year, the Suffolk Red Cross collected 1,671 units of blood (119% of goal) at 80 blood drives. Forty businesses, schools, and community organizations lend their time and efforts to sponsor and host these drives throughout the community.

Armed Forces Emergency Services

Nobody ever said being in the armed services was going to be easy-for yourself or your family. Adjustments have to be made. Problems solved. Separations dealt with. Stresses and tensions resolved.

The American Red Cross is uniquely equipped to provide an exclusive worldwide communications and support network that serves as a lifeline between military service members and their families. For the American soldier and his or her family, the Red Cross is the connection to home, relaying urgent information—a family crisis, a death in the family, a financial emergency, or a joyous birth. The Red Cross provides a shoulder to lean on for U.S. Military families every day, 24 hours a day, around the world.

This year, the Suffolk Chapter’s AFES program provided 410 different services to 179 military families including emergency communications and counseling. 127 military families received information through the Get To Know Us outreach program.