In less than five minutes, they lost everything they owned. The fire, caused by faulty wiring, started in the middle of the night. It spread from the basement to the attic with heart-stopping speed, destroying the two-story, South City frame house and attached carport. Luckily, no one was hurt. But the family lost everything except the pajamas on their backs. After the fire department left and the gawkers drifted away, all that remained of everything they had worked for was a pile of smoldering rubble.
But they weren’t alone. The American Red Cross arrived immediately, making sure they had a safe place to stay, transportation, food, clothing, emotional support—and a plan for the future. “Our goal is to prevent or alleviate suffering during emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” says Cindy Erickson, CEO of American Red Cross-Greater St. Louis Region. “When you get right down to it, it’s all about neighbors helping neighbors. That’s how you build strong, resilient communities.”
The Boston bombings, Superstorm Sandy, 9/11—the Red Cross is there whenever disaster strikes. The organization also sponsors drives that provide 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply. “But many people don’t realize how much the local Red Cross does in our own backyard,” Erickson says. “We respond to an average of three house fires a day, and we’re on the job during tornadoes, floods and power outages, arranging shelter and access to basic necessities for displaced residents. We work closely with emergency responders, and also coordinate with other United Way agencies to ensure longer-term assistance.”
American Red Cross in St. Louis, established in 1917, serves St. Louis City and 66 surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois. “Last year, our 2,000-plus volunteers assisted more than 1,600 local families after disasters, and supported more than 1,000 military families with services such as financial assistance and crisis counseling,” Erickson says. More than 90 percent of the agency’s workforce, including its 24/7 Disaster Action Team, are volunteers. Along with responding to crises, the Red Cross also works to prevent them. “We train more than 42,000 residents in first aid, CPR and fire prevention, and enroll thousands of St. Louisans in our water safety classes,” Erickson says. “In this region alone, about 30,000 individuals have downloaded our free mobile apps on basic first aid and tornado and fire safety, for help during emergencies.”
All Red Cross disaster relief services are free. “We receive no government funding, so we rely on the generosity of donors and corporate support,” Erickson says. “Each year, we host the Lifesaver Awards Breakfast, our signature fundraiser honoring local heroes who help those in need.” Presenting sponsors for the recent event were Anheuser-Busch, U.S. Bank, AAA, Emerson and KSDK. “Members of the corporate community value our efforts and work with us to keep the Red Cross strong,” she notes. “Thanks to their help, our neighbors have what they need in their darkest hour.”
Photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured: Cindy Erickson, CEO of America n Re d Cross-Greater St. Louis Region
