When your neighbors in Rhode Island have nowhere else to turn, the American Red Cross is there assisting fire victims, teaching lifesaving skills, connecting military personnel with their families and keeping our communities secure in major weather emergencies.

The American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter is prepared to serve every Rhode Islander, fulfilling our mission to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

- We provided emergency disaster services to 416 families, assisting a total of 1,321 people in their time of greatest need. The Rhode Island Chapter delivers direct aid to victims of house fires and other disasters, immediately providing food, clothing, shelter, crisis counseling, and medication to Rhode Islanders who might otherwise go hungry and homeless.

 

- Our trained volunteers and staff are on-call 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year. During the year ended June 30, 2005, volunteers donated a total of over 30,039 hours of service.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of Red Cross service delivery to the local community. A substantial number of volunteers donate significant amounts of their personal time to deliver these program services.

 

- Approximately 17,236 Rhode Islanders increased their knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety skills in 2,108 classes that were held during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. A total of 514 young Rhode Islanders gained leadership and lifesaving skills through Babysitter’s Training. Approximately 1,781 young Rhode Islanders became competent with swimming and water safety skills that are so critical in the Ocean State.

 

- We handled a total of 451 Armed Forces Emergency Service cases. The Red Cross is the only agency authorized by the United States Armed Forces to serve as the official communication link between soldiers and their families.  During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, with more local troops currently deployed from Rhode Island than at any time since World War II, the Rhode Island Chapter played a critical role in keeping families connected.

 

- A total of 79 messages were sent out to Rhode Islanders from International Services. International Services initiatives focus on primary health care, emergency response and preparedness, restoration of family links, and dissemination of international humanitarian law.

ALL OF OUR DISASTER SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR FREE.

We are chartered by Congress to provide these invaluable services. We are not a government agency and we do not receive government funding or funding from our national office. We rely solely on contributions from Rhode Islanders to fulfill our mission, and your dollar stays here in RI to help your friends and neighbors in their greatest time of need.