American Red Cross of RI

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 67,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

OUR CHAPTER
Committed to fulfilling the American Red Cross mission, "to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies," the Rhode Island Chapter services over 1 million people in Rhode Island and several surrounding Massachusetts communities with a paid staff of just 16 people. To accomplish our mission, we rely on a team of over 200 trained, committed volunteers from across the state and are constantly recruiting new Rhode Islanders to join our effort.

Each year in Rhode Island, the American Red Cross responds to over 150 residential fires, providing shelter, clothing and a warm meal to over 1,000 Rhode Islanders who are displaced. We operate shelters during weather emergencies and train volunteers to respond in the event of a large-scale disaster, including a terrorist attack. We also provide free mental health services for those suffering a disaster.

The core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

We are also committed to helping Rhode Islanders save lives. We train over 15,000 Rhode Islanders a year in vital health and safety courses like CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillation and Babysitting. Our aquatics program provides swimming instruction for hundreds of children each summer and we train more lifeguards than any other agency in the state.

The Red Cross also performs Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES), serving as the communication link between Rhode Island families and their loved ones serving overseas. Through a special arrangement, the Red Cross is the only agency authorized to make travel arrangements for a member of the armed forces to return home in an emergency like a death, birth or other special circumstances.

CLICK HERE for more information on Armed Forces Emergency Services.

OUR CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER
Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same."

The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

... the American Red Cross of Rhode Island is providing food, clothing and shelter to over 1,000 Rhode Islanders each year who are victims of house fires?

While many people associate the Red Cross with hurricanes or major disasters, here in Rhode Island Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires almost every day across the state. In 2001, we provided 379 families with emergency services at the fire scene.

These services are provided free of charge and include:

Meals
Clothing
Shelter
Baby formula
Groceries
Assistance in obtaining medications
Mental health counseling

... on average, the American Red Cross spends $1,000 per family of four it assists?

The Red Cross spends about a quarter of a million dollars every year on relief to fire victims in Rhode Island.

... Red Cross volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year?

The American Red Cross of Rhode Island serves over a million people with a paid staff of just 16. To accomplish our mission, we are constantly recruiting volunteers and providing them with free disaster training. Volunteers receive no compensation for their service --- just the satisfaction of helping a neighbor in need.

If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, please contact Angie Moncada at [email protected] or 401.831.7700 x101.

... the American Red Cross of Rhode Island is NOT a government agency?

The American Red Cross was chartered by Congress in 1905 to provide disaster relief and fulfill its mission: to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. However, the American Red Cross received no government funding to provide these services. We rely on private donations assist the people of Rhode Island during time of disaster.

... the American Red Cross is saving the State of Rhode Island thousands of dollars every year?

Over 90% of the incidents the American Red Cross of Rhode Island responds to occur during non-business hours. By operating on nights and weekends, the American Red Cross of Rhode Island is relieving the state of Rhode Island of the responsibility and therefore the cost of providing emergency services to disaster victims during those times.

... the Red Cross is NOT a government agency and depends on private donations?

The American Red Cross of Rhode Island holds one major fundraiser a year, along with several smaller ones to help pay for our emergency services. Remaining funds for disaster services come through donations from the people of Rhode Island. All the money we spend on disasters is raised from our neighbors in the community through donations and special events.

... our work doesn't end when the fire is out and people have been put up for the night?

The next morning our family case workers are meeting with victims, helping them with relocation, serving as a referral and connecting them with the other agencies and services they need. In addition, we provide mental health counseling to victims and their families. The Red Cross is committed to helping until a family gets back on its feet.

... we help Rhode Island families contact loved ones in the armed forces?

In emergency situations, the American Red Cross serves as the communication link between Rhode Islanders and their relatives in the military. We connect over 500 Rhode Island families a year with their loved ones in the armed forces. The American Red Cross of Rhode Island is connected to every military base around the world and every ship at sea.

... the American Red Cross of Rhode Island is teaching 15,000 Rhode Islanders a year how to save a life?

The Red Cross teaches a variety of health & safety classes in schools, community centers and workplaces around the state. If you are interested in taking a class visit our Courses page. Our classes include:

CPR
First Aid
AED (Automated External Defibrillation)
Babysitting
Pet First Aid
Lifeguarding
Water Safety

... we have two offices in Rhode Island?

American Red Cross of Rhode Island Headquarters
105 Gano Street
Providence, RI 02906
Tel: (401) 831-7700
Fax: (401) 831-0502

East Bay Branch
1015 Aquidneck Avenue
Middletown, RI 02842
Tel: (401) 846-8100
Fax: (401) 848-9521

© Copyright 2002-2005 American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
American Red Cross of Rhode Island • 105 Gano Street :: PO Box 2496 • Providence, RI 02906
Tel: (401) 831-7700 • TOLL FREE 1-800-842-1122 • Fax: (401) 831-0502

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