The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Description:
The American Red Cross has been helping families in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties since 1918.

Our services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007:

Emergencies we responded to: 401
Individuals helped with food, clothing or shelter: 1,904
Local families receiving financial assistance: 700
Individuals given disaster education: 35,949

Local military families who used Red Cross emergency help: 588
Volunteer hours spent helping military families: 4,579

Red Cross volunteers: 1,500
New disaster response volunteers: 25
Hours donated by volunteers: 333,463

Individuals enrolled in First Aid, CPR or other lifesaving courses: 47,604
Percent of individuals who felt prepared to respond after taking a course: 99

Young adults who took lifesaving Babysitter’s Training: 412
Seniors now living independently, thanks to Lifeline: 465
Instructors teaching lifesaving courses in four counties: 1,183
Nurse’s aid testing candidates: 1,902

History:
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new--the nearly one million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through over 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.

Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.

An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

The American National Red Cross is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Gail McGovern is President and CEO, and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter is Chairman of the American Red Cross.

Contact person: Volunteer Administrator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (412) 263-5268

Address:

225 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.swpa.redcross.org/

Directions:

DIRECTIONS TO RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS From the east through Squirrel Hill Tunnel: Take the Parkway 376 to Grant Street exit. At second traffic signal, make a left on to Boulevard of the Allies. We are three blocks up on the right. From. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Gateway Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: Blvd of the Allies and Wood Street, 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.portauthority.org/ride/ride.html

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No
Is act 33/34 clearance required of your volunteers?
	Yes