(Spirit Lake)– Community leaders, school kids and others learned firsthand Thursday just exactly what the American Red Cross is all about.
Officials with the Siouxland Area Red Cross and the local Iowa Great Lakes Area Chapter put on a public awareness event at the Dickinson county courthouse over the lunch hour.
Cindy Voss, Executive Director of the local chapter, says they’ve been putting on similar events in other areas of their service territory.
Voss says of all the services they offer, she says it’s the Red Cross’ assistance to the military that most people aren’t aware of. For example, she says the agency helps locate family members of deceased military members as part of the death notification process.
Meanwhile, Voss says the need continues to increase for a service most people DO associate with the Red Cross: blood donations. She says that while 36 percent of the population is capable of giving blood, that only five to six percent actually does.
Locally, the Red Cross has been most active in assisting those affected by fires and storms. Voss is reminding residents that now is the time to get ready for the upcoming severe weather season.
Voss also says many people aren’t aware of the various health and well-being programs the Red Cross provides, including CPR training and swimming lessons, to name only a couple.
In addition to putting out a call for blood donors, Voss says the Red Cross is also especially in need right now of volunteers and monetary contributions.
