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Last updated on December 30, 2008

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 Red Cross trains volunteers to respond to disaster at home and throughout the United States. We provide disaster education programs to teach preparedness and education and work with other agencies to plan, prepare for and minimize the impact of disasters in our community. When disaster strikes, whether it affects a single family or thousands, the Red Cross assists individuals with vouchers for food, clothing, shelter and other necessities, provides referral for other sources of assistance and provides mental health assistance for those suffering emotional distress caused by disaster.

The American Red Cross provides emergency services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. These services include emergency communications, financial assistance, information and referrals and veteran assistance.

International Social Services include tracing services to locate loved ones missing during disaster or armed conflict, and holocaust and war victims tracing and information.

Health and Safety Services provides training in how to prevent, prepare for and respond to an emergency. Courses include First Aid, CPR, Automated External Defibrillation, HIV/AIDS, Water Safety, Swimming, Preventing Disease Transmission, and Lifeguard Training.

Young people are a vital part of the American Red Cross. Our Youth Services Program educates youth in first aid, safety and disaster preparedness. The program promotes volunteerism, encouraging youth to help others and providing leadership training and opportunities.

Community Service Programs fulfill vital community needs. Meals On Wheels is one such program. Pet Therapy volunteers and their pets visit residents in nursing homes. A transportation program for veterans provides rides to medical appointments at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Telecare volunteers provide reassurance to the homebound through daily or weekly phone calls. We also provide assistance and referrals to low income families.

History:
In 1881 Clara Barton and a group of friends founded the American Red Cross. It is part of the International Red Cross Movement, founded by Swiss businessman Henri Dunant in 1863. The Berks County Chapter was chartered in 1917. We moved into our present building,located in the Centre Park Historic District, in 1961. A second building housing the Chapter's Health Services was completed in 2000.

Contact person: Sonia Topiarz, Volunteer Coordinator, (610) 375-4383, (email)
Office fax number: (610) 373-5455

Address:

701 Centre Ave Reading, PA 19601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://berks.redcross.org

Directions:

***From Downtown Reading... Take 5th Street North from Penn Street through five traffic lights. Immediately after the fifth light, bear left onto Centre Avenue (Burger King will be on your left). Go two blocks and the chapter will be on your right. ***From Route 222 South... Follow Route 222 past the Fairgrounds Square Mall. Continue straight onto Route 222 Business (5th Street). At the traffic light at Greenwich Street, turn right. Go one block and turn right at the next light. The chapter is one block on your right. ***From Interstate 78... Exit the interstate at Route 61 South (Hamburg) exit. Follow Route 61 South for approximately 16 miles until you pass Reading Municial Stadium, at which point Route 61 becomes Centre Avenue. Continue on Centre Avenue for another 1 mile until you pass Centre Park which will be on your left. The Chapter is on your immediate left. ***From the Pennsylvania Turnpike - westbound... Exit the turnpike at Exit 22 (Morgantown). Stay straight after the tollbooth onto Route 176 towards Reading. At the end of Route 176, take Route 422 West. Take the Penn Street (Reading) exit off Route 422 and go to the fourth traffic light. Follow the directions below to the chapter from Downtown Reading. ***From the Pennsylvania Turnpike - eastbound... Exit the turnpike at Exit 21 (Reading). Shortly after the tollbooth you will take the first ramp to your right onto Route 222 North. Follow Route 222 for approximately 10 miles and you will cross the Bingaman Street bridge. At the first light after the bridge, turn left onto 5th Street. Follow the directions to the chapter from Downtown Reading.   Nearest Bus Stop: Centre Ave & Douglass St, 3 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Youth Volunteer Opportunities
	Yes

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