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What is
the American Red Cross?
The American Red Cross is a
humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, dedicated to helping people
prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. More than 700 local chapters
are located throughout the United States, its territories and U.S. military
installations around the world. Our major lines of service are disaster
preparedness and relief, safety and health education and services to military
personnel and their families. In addition, many chapters are involved in blood
collection and distribution.
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What is the Mission of the American Red Cross?
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers,
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.
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Who founded
the International Red Cross Movement?
Swiss businessman, Henri Dunant, founded the Red Cross Movement after witnessing
an 1859 battle outside the northern Italian town of Solferino. At nightfall, he
saw 40,000 dead and wounded soldiers strewn about the battlefield without
medical attention and began organizing care for the wounded. Dunant remembered
the horror and worked to establish a society for aid of those wounded in
battle. In 1864, the first “Geneva Convention” established the International
Committee of the Red Cross and specified that the “red cross” would be a
protective emblem for medical personnel, equipment, and facilities.
Today, the Red Cross Movement incorporates the
Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the
International Federation), as well as National Societies in 175 countries,
including the American Red Cross.
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Who
founded the American Red Cross?
Clara Barton founded the American Association of the Red Cross on May 21,
1881. Having voluntarily cared for soldiers during the American Civil War, she
had become deeply committed to establishing an organization in the United States
that would help relieve human suffering. She was inspired after reading Henry
Dunant's book A Memory of Solferino. Dunant was the found of the Red
Cross movement in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Why are symbols other than a red cross used by other National Societies within
the Movement?
Although the red cross is not a religious symbol, some societies
view it as such. The symbol of the red crescent is used instead of the red cross
by societies in most Islamic countries; and the Magen David Adom, or Red Shield
of David, is used in Israel. The Red Crystal is also an approved emblem.
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Is the American Red Cross part of the U.S. government?
The ARC is not funded by the U.S. government, functions independently of the
government but works closely with government agencies, such as the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), during times of major crises. It is responsible for giving aid to
members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to disaster victims at home and abroad. It
does this through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter
and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement allowing the Red Cross to stay neutral and impartial.
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When was the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus established?
The American Red Cross of
Greater Columbus was granted a charter on July 3, 1916. The Columbus chapter's
roots reach to the great flood of 1913, which struck this and other cities in
Ohio and Indiana. Thousands lost their homes and were injured, and more than 500
died. The national Red Cross came to the aid of central Ohioans, and Columbus
residents were inspired a few years later to form their own chapter to help in
future emergencies.
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When did the Red
Cross begin it's blood program?
American Red Cross Blood Services began in 1948 as an additional public service
of the organization. Today, Red Cross blood services supplies nearly half the
nation’s blood supply.
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What does the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus do?
The
American Red Cross of Greater Columbus:
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Prepares for major disasters, including
new threats to Homeland Security
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Provides relief to local disaster victims (home fires are most prevalent)
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Helps military families
face emergencies
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Saves lives through
education and information
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Supports seniors and others by driving them to life-sustaining medical appointments
and facilitating their use of Lifeline, an emergency notification system.
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How is the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus funded?
The Red Cross is an independent, not-for-profit volunteer
organization that primarily relies on people like you for support. Your
donations of time and money make their work possible. In addition, to seeking
individual donations, the Red Cross raises funds in cooperation with the United
Way of Central Ohio and the United Ways in Fayette, Madison and Pickaway
counties. The Red Cross also solicits funding through corporations and
foundations and government contracts or grants.
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Who are
Red Cross volunteers?
Red Cross volunteers are
your neighbors, your co-workers and your friends. People of all ages, races and
creeds donate their time to help make their communities better, safer places to
live. Information on Volunteer activities and opportunities can be found on our
Volunteer Page or by calling Volunteer Resources at 614.253.2740 Ext. 2355.
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What can I do to
help?
You can help the American Red Cross by volunteering your time, donating
financially and by giving blood. Red Cross websites are a great resource to
learn more about these opportunities to help. To find another Red Cross chapter, visit
www.redcross.org.
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What does the American Red Cross
do in disasters?
The Red Cross provides emergency shelter, food and clothing to assist people
immediately following a disaster. Volunteers assist with replacement of
medications and equipment, provide emotional support, and serve as an
information and referral source to help those affected obtain other resources.
After large scale disasters, the Red Cross also provides emergency communication
between disaster victims and family members located outside the disaster area.
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Is there a charge for disaster relief services?
No. All American Red Cross disaster relief is
provided free of charge. It is made possible through generous gifts of time and
money that people make to the American Red Cross.
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Do you accept donations of clothing and other household items?
We do not accept donations
of used clothing or other household items. The American Red Cross provides
vouchers to families who have lost personal items during a disaster (fire,
flood, hurricane, etc) so that they can purchase new items. There are several
other organizations in Columbus that accept these types of donations including
the Salvation Army and the Volunteers of America.
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What type of Health and Safety training does the Red Cross offer?
For more than a
century, the American Red Cross has been saving lives with health and safety
education programs. Red Cross training ranges from first aid, CPR and AED to
swimming, lifeguarding and babysitter’s training. American Red Cross
programs help people live safer and healthier lives. The Red Cross constantly
strives to respond to the health and safety concerns of Americans at home, in
school and in the workplace. Today’s innovative programs also include teaching
lay persons and professionals how to use automated external defibrillators
(AEDs) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
Click here to learn more.
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How do I sign up for a Red Cross course?
Visit your local Red Cross
chapter’s website or call them to learn when courses are offered. For classes in
Franklin, Madison, Fayette and Pickaway counties,
click here. To find another
chapter locations, visit
www.redcross.org.
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I lost my lost my training certificate, how do I get it replaced?
If
you lost your training certificate and want a replacement call Customer Service at 614.251.1444 to
make the request. You will need the following information: name of course,
where it was held, name of instructor and completion date. This information
will help speed up the process. The cost of a duplicate certificate is $5.
Payment must be received in full before a replacement certificate can be
processed.
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Does the Red Cross offer scholarships for Health and Safety Training?
Scholarships are available to
those individuals in greater Columbus recognized as being in need of financial
assistance. Scholarship applications are available in our Customer Service area.
For more information call 614.251.1444.
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What is the connection between the Red Cross and members of the armed forces and
their families?
American Red Cross
emergency communication services keep military personnel in touch with their
loved ones following the death or serious illness of a family member or other
important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross sends messages
quickly, anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and to
isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists
the service member's commanding officer in making a decision regarding emergency
leave.
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What is the role of Red Cross workers with the military in time of conflict?
The Red Cross mission is to keep the American
people in touch with their family members serving in the armed forces. To
accomplish this work, Red Cross workers frequently deploy on assignment with
military forces to keep the communication link operational around the clock and
around the globe. Other Red Cross services are made available to military
personnel on an as needed basis just as they are in the civilian communities.
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Who qualifies for the Community Transportation Program?
The American Red Cross of
Greater Columbus Community Transportation Program offers medical and non-medical
transportation throughout Franklin County. Transportation is provided to those
who qualify either through a third party payer such as Franklin County Senior
Options, Title III or through the local support of the Red Cross general fund
and the United Way. For the most part seniors must be age 60 or above and low
income. Rides are also available for disabled individuals and referrals from
the Columbus Cancer Clinic. Individuals who don’t qualify for third party payment can access transportation
for a nominal fee.
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How does the American Red Cross serve people worldwide?
The American Red Cross
works with a global network of Red Cross, Red Crescent and equivalent societies
to restore hope and dignity to the world's vulnerable people. This international
Red Cross movement brings emergency relief to disaster victims, and improves
basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas of the world.
Guided by our seven Fundamental Principles — Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality,
Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality — the ARC partners with
countless organizations in the efficient and effective relief of human suffering
and the empowerment of people with the skills they need to help themselves.
The American Red Cross is
currently working with our sister societies in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, the
Pacific, the Americas and in the former Soviet Union. With the generous support
of the American people, the ARC has developed into one of the strongest and most
respected humanitarian service organizations in the world.
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What is the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center?
The Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center is the national clearinghouse
for persons seeking the fates of loved ones missing since the Holocaust and documentation
required for reparations of forced labor, forced evacuation from former Soviet territories, internment
in concentration camps, or deportation.
The Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center
assists American residents and conducts searches on behalf of individuals living
outside the United States for relatives believed to have immigrated to the
United States. Tracing requests are made through local chapters of the Red
Cross.
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What did the American Red Cross do with all the money donated after Sept. 11,
2001?
The generous outpouring of
contributions to the ARC due to the unprecedented nature of the events of
September 11, 2001, was extraordinary. As it was clear donors were giving in
response to the disaster, the ARC departed from its usual practices and
developed a separate, segregated fund called the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund.
Millions of donors from the U.S. and around the world gave just over $1 billion
to the Liberty Fund in an unparalleled show of care and concern.
Former Sen. George Mitchell
was asked to serve as the independent overseers of the Liberty Fund. In his
final report on the fund, Mitchell said the distribution plan that he developed
“has gone a long way toward meeting the needs of those who suffered losses,
honoring the intent of the donors and providing assistance consistent with the
mission and traditions of the Red Cross.”
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Who determines the salary of American Red Cross managers?
A local board of directors
governs each Red Cross chapter. Each chapter board is made up of local leaders
who volunteer their time to guide the delivery of essential Red Cross services
relevant to their community.
It is these boards that
determine and approve each chapter executive's salary. Salaries are based on the
individual’s level of experience, while taking into consideration the cost of
living in their chapter jurisdiction, local market conditions and the comparable
salaries of Red Cross chapter executives at other chapters of similar size.
The ARC believes that
allowing local leadership to determine chapter executive salaries is fair and
necessary to ensure that the most competent managers can continue to be
recruited to fill these important community leadership roles.
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How much does the national president of the American Red Cross get paid?
As required by law, certain executive compensation
amounts are being fully disclosed in the charity's tax information return, IRS
Form 990. All information in the ARC Form 990 is being made available in its
entirety on the charity's public Web site,
click here to learn more.
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