Mission
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization,
led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of
disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and
respond to emergencies. It does this through services
that are consistent with its congressional charter and
the fundamental principles of the International Red
Cross movement.
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History
The American Red Cross has been serving the Chippewa
Valley area since 1915. Many chapters have been consolidated
to provide service as a gift from the American people.
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Management
The Chippewa Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross
is led by a 19-member volunteer Board
of Directors. The services are provided through the
participation of volunteers with assistance from a staff
of seven full-time and five part-time employees. The
organization's strong reliance on volunteers helps to
ensure that the Red Cross is responsive to community
needs.
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Budget Sources
The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies
primarily on the private contributions of the American
people. The majority of budget provided by contributions
from individuals in the counties we serve. The balance
of our annual budget is provided through special events,
and grants.
Less than 20 percent of our budget is recieved from
the area United Ways.
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Red Cross Activities
Disaster planning, preparedness, education
and relief.
The Chapter has trained volunteers that respond
to disasters within the state and across the nation.
Disaster Action Team volunteers are on call 24 hours
a day to respond to single family disasters (most commonly
fires) to provide emergency assistance items such as
food, shelter, clothing, medications and personal items.
We regularly provide the public with disaster preparedness
information (some specific to the elderly and the disabled).
Emergency communications and assistance to
members of the Armed Forces and their area families.
The Red Cross volunteers are on call 24 hours
a day to process emergency communications every day.
These may be messages pertaining to medical emergencies,
deaths, births or health & welfare inquiries. Information
is verified by our caseworkers and forwarded to the
appropriate military base to facilitate procedures for
emergency leave, counseling, and financial aid if necessary.
International Social Services.
The Chapter works through International Red
Cross and the Red Crescent to locate, reunite, and exchange
messages between people separated from their loved ones
because of war, civil disturbance, or natural disaster.
Health and Safety Services.
Chapter instructors teach lifesaving skills
in CPR, first aid, aquatics and water safety, and HIV/AIDS
education. We train instructors, supply materials, and
maintain course records for community classes as well
as courses taught at local YMCAs and Parks and Recreation
pools.
Blood services.
Chippewa Valley volunteers working with North Central
Blood Region host and organize over 100 bloodmobiles
annually to provide lifesaving blood products to area
hospitals.
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Our Service Area
During the past fiscal year we provided Red Cross services
to over 22,000 individuals within our Chapter jurisdiction,
which includes the counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield,
Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin,
Pierce, Rusk, Sawyer, Trempealeau, and Washburn.
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Service Statistics
Emergency Services
Family Assisted 100
Individuals Assisted 348
Military Communications 203
Health and Safety Services
CPR and First Aid 8,679
Lifeguarding and Swimming 12,677
Mission-Related Caregiving 279
Biomedical Services - units of
blood
Total Units Collected 20,915
Donated Volunteer Hours
Total Number of Hours 152,327
Value to Chapter at $17/hr $2,589,559
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