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

Beginnings of the Red Cross Henry Dunant, a Swiss man, developed the idea of the Red Cross in 1859 after coming across a bloody battle site in Europe. October 1863, The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was created in Geneva, Switzerland, to provide nonpartisan care to the wounded and sick in times of war. August 1864, the representatives of 12 governments signed the Geneva Convention Treaty. Which is incorporated into today’s Red Cross movement and the societies of 175 countries

The Beginning of the American Red Cross Clara Barton was the first person to establish a Red Cross Society in America. She organized the American Association of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. Its purpose was to serve America in peace and in war and during times of disaster. 1905 saw congress give the American Red Cross an official charter.

American Red Cross Organization Three primary divisions National Headquarters Coordinates with local chapters to provide centralized planning and policy Offers corporate support such as insurance, marketing, legal assistance, etc. Coordinates with international counterparts Local chapters (approximately 1000 nation wide) Provide the disaster response capability to floods, earthquakes, etc. Offer community education and other services Responsible for funding and responding to local disasters Biomedical Services Independent of the local chapters Consist of 36 regions covering the United States Primary purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood and blood products

Legal Description of the American Red Cross The American Red Cross exists by Congressional Charter. The American Red Cross received its Congressional Charter in 1905. The charter has been amended 10 times. The American Red Cross is independent of the government but does work with government agencies when the need arises Per the Department of Treasury IRS publication 557 Section 503(c)(3) page 16 the American Red Cross is exempt from federal income tax. Additionally all states pass individual laws exempting the Red Cross from state tax. Exceptions to this are New Mexico and Arizona (only partial exemptions exist). Some states have no specific laws because no local or sales tax exist. International Red Cross gains it legal status under the Geneva Conventions. The American Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross

American Red Cross Membership A Red Cross volunteer is an individual who, beyond the responsibilities of paid employment, freely assists the American Red Cross in the accomplishment of its mission without expectation or receipt of compensation. Over 1.2 million people volunteered for the American Red Cross in FY2002. Ninety-seven percent of American Red Cross staff are volunteers. Adults over 25 comprise about 66% of Red Cross volunteers Youth and young adults make up about 34%. 2004 saw a 6 percent increase in volunteer training given from 2003

Funding for 2002 ($4.117 billion) Three primary sources Contributions 45% Includes monetary and in-kind donations Investment Income and Other 5% Products and Services 50% Course fees and whole blood and tissue services Funding can fluctuate depending on the year, percentages represent FY 2002

Expenditures for FY 2002 ($3.571 billion) Biomedical 52% International 1% Disaster Services and Relief 9% Health, Safety and Community Services 10% Fund Raising 4% Management and General 5% Armed Forces Emergency Services 2% Liberty Disaster Relief September 11 Response 17%

Disaster Expenditures Over Last 10 Years (millions of dollars) FY 93 – 248.2 FY 94 – 220.9 FY 95 – 233.3 FY 96 – 216.5 FY 97 – 214.5 FY 98 – 192.6 FY 99 – 321.5 FY 01 – 286.1 FY 02 – 308.2 w/o liberty funds (disasters not associated with 9/11) FY 02 – 618.0 Liberty funds (spent only of 9/11 disaster relief)

Those served by the Red Cross (almost too numerous to list) Supported victims of 9/11 during the time of the crisis and with mental health services for years to come More recently victims of the deadly hurricanes and internationally victims of the tsunami Clients don’t always make the news 92% of all disaster responses by the Red Cross are supporting families involved house/apartment home fires. Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, a three county area, responded to 282 single family house fires in 2004 More than 400 specially trained volunteers are on the critical incident response team to assist with victims of aircraft incidents Provide preparedness classes like CPR, water safety and how to prepare for natural or manmade disasters Provides assistance to military families world wide Retired and senior volunteer programs and senior advocacy programs Provide half the nations blood supply to hospitals each year Additionally local chapters may choose to provide service not found nationwide

Challenges Ahead Blood Donations 0.6% increase in donations over past five years compared to a 4% increase in need Only 5% of those eligible donate Greatest contributions come right after a disaster however blood has a shelf life, red cross needs constant donations Financial donations are needed before or at the onset of a disaster but people are prone to give immediately after a disaster. Like blood a constant flow of funds are required Public perception of funds use This first came to light during 9/11 donations were going to the disaster relief fund which is a general relief fund. Some donors wanted their funds to go only towards the 9/11 disaster. This sparked the liberty fund that took donations specifically for the 9/11 disaster. This also took place during the tsunami disaster. The Red Cross set a goal of $400,000,000 when this goal was met they stopped soliciting tsunami donations. People can still donate to that disaster but are encouraged to give to the general fund.

How can you help? Start by going to www.redcross.org this site alone has useful information and can put you in touch with your local Red Cross chapter. Local chapters can help you donate money, blood or time through a one time donation or through constant giving.

References Duncan, Chris. Communications Associate Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, American Red Cross. 2005. State Sales and Use Tax. http://www.redcross.org/pubs/taxexempt/ Our 2003 Report to the American People. http://www.redcross.org/pubs/car03/annual_rept_insert.pdf 2002 Corporate Annual Report. 2002. http://www.redcross.org/pubs/#report Carolina Lowcountry Chapter fact sheet United States Congress. 1999. Congressional Charter of the American National Red Cross.