Press release from the American Red Cross:
American Red Cross Celebrates Volunteerism, MLK Day of Service in January
Calls on individuals, community to get involved in New Year
(January 10, 2011) – As part of the world’s largest humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross is led by volunteers that constitute 95% of its total work force in order to carry out its humanitarian work. This New Year, the local Red Cross calls on individuals to give back to their community through the efforts of the organization and a varied array of volunteer opportunities for all interests, making a difference in not only their community, but also in their own lives.
In recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 17, the Red Cross will partner with Protechs, Inc., the Fort Wayne Fire Department and Hope Worldwide to distribute fire safety prevention information and smoke detectors to at-risk homes in central Fort Wayne. Volunteers will gather at 8:00 a.m. at Mt Zion Lutheran Church and will canvass surrounding neighborhoods. To volunteer or for more information, contact Ashley Kostelnik at 484.9336 x 225.
In addition, the Red Cross places special emphasis on recruiting volunteers of all backgrounds to carry out its humanitarian mission in the New Year. These opportunities include:
- Red Cross Disaster Services: serve as an on-call caseworker for victims of house fires and other natural and man-made disasters, including large disasters such as floods and tornadoes that displace large numbers of people.
- Health & Safety Services: teach lifesaving skills in first aid, CPR, babysitting, pet first aid, and more in community classes.
- Service to the Armed Forces: assist military families and their loved ones around the world with emergency communication and notifications.
- Multicultural Information eXchange (MIX) program: utilize foreign language skills with translations, interpretations, and international tracing.
- Blood drive and donor center volunteers: provide customer service, pre-donation instructions, and refreshments for blood donors.
- Community outreach events: present Red Cross services, preparedness information, and other items of interest to local organizations and groups.
- Clerical help: answer phones, perform mailings, data entry, and general office duties.
The Red Cross is changing lives each day. Volunteers are needed in all counties of the local Red Cross’ jurisdiction, including Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Wells, Whitley, and Williams (Ohio). Training is provided. For more information on how you can get involved with Red Cross Humanitarian Services, please contact Keith Nieberding at (260) 484.9336 or visit redcrossofnei.org. For more information on how you can get involved with Red Cross Blood Services, please contact Pam Schroeder at (260) 480.8218 or visit redcrossblood.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana serves seven counties: Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley Counties in Indiana and Williams County in Ohio. For more information, call (260) 484-9336 or 1-800-513-2599, or visit redcrossofnei.org.
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