When thinking of the Red Cross, what
image comes to your mind? Many of us
have a Red Cross story or have heard an account from a loved one. We hear stories from the Indian Ocean Tsunami
of 2004 to Louisiana’s Hurricane Katrina, from the collapse of the Twin Towers
to tornado disasters in the Midwest. Story
after story emerges from these tragedies where all seems lost and then the Red
Cross arrives on the scene and hope is restored. In moments of despair, volunteers appear responding to
immediate disaster caused needs.
None of us want to be in a situation where we need the Red Cross, but we
are not exempt from tragedy. Knowing
that help is close by can make the most traumatic experiences survivable.
According to the
Red Cross’s Fundamental Principles, “ the
Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the
wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national
capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its
purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human
being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting
peace amongst all peoples.” It is an
organization that is truly colorblind.
The Red Cross does not receive funding from any government entity and it
is represented in every country in
the world.
Not long ago, a tragic fire broke out in an
apartment building in Goose Creek, SC.
Lives were taken. Some of the
residents lost everything they owned in the fire. One of these women spoke at a Red Cross
fundraiser. She described the immense
fear that ran through her as she relived those first moments with smoke billowing
from the building and not knowing where her kids were. This description of her and her children’s terror
and confusion that led up to their ultimate escape, brought tears to the eyes
of her listeners. When her husband
could see that recounting her story became too vivid and terrifying for her, he
held her in his arms, renewing her strength to continue. Periodically she paused to regain composure,
each time apologizing for her emotional state.
Though she had practiced her speech without a tear, these memories now
overwhelmed her. Her despair was
palpable as she spoke though she barely noticed the emotions of all those in
attendance as she transported them to that terrible day.
In expressing the rush of feelings that
she felt when she first saw a Red Cross-volunteer, the audience’s continence
changed with her. As she continued, relief
was evident on her face that was now filled with hope. She told how the presence of the volunteers
was the salve she needed to heal and regroup. All present realized that her
story could easily be ours. No one knows
when tragedy may come. Our local Red Cross
has helped 1,222 of our neighbors in a 7 county radius since July 1st,
2011. Keeping the Red Cross prepared for
catastrophes with donations and volunteering is one way we can help it stay
strong and ready for the unexpected.
Recently, the Trident United Way
has changed their priorities and consequently, the Red Cross lost valuable
funding. This article is not meant to discuss the reasons behind this
decision. Instead, let us realize that in times of financial unease,
where differences separate us more than our similarities bring us together, the
Red Cross stands as a beacon of what we should all strive to be. Its volunteers personify a humanity that
crosses barriers and promotes true understanding. Since the founding of the American Red Cross
in 1881 by Clara Barton, hundreds of thousands of volunteers have impacted
people in crisis. Each of these
volunteers has contributed to the success of this worthy organization. Let’s continue the tradition by supporting
our local Red Cross. www.LowcountryRedCross.org or 843-764-2323
