WHAT WE DO                  (For even more information, click on the headings below)

Disaster Services:  The American Red Cross has been providing disaster relief to the nation since the Johnstown Flood, Michigan Forest Fires, and the great San Francisco Earthquake.  Our Congressional Charter (officially creating the American Red Cross) mandates that we will maintain a system of domestic and international disaster relief, including mandated responsibilities under the National Response Plan coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Locally, our Disaster Services provides assistance to those displaced by single-family disasters such as house fires.  We will respond to 60 fires each year on average, helping with a place to stay, food, clothing and other essentials.  For a list of upcoming training opportunities, follow the link to our Disaster Services page.

Armed Forces Emergency Services: As part of our congressional mandate, the Red Cross provides an emergency communications link between a serviceperson and their family back home.  Nationally, the Red Cross goes with the military on major deployments to insure the communications link is seamless and effective.

Locally, the High Point-Thomasville Chapter will send over 100 emergency messages each year.  If you have an emergency and need to communicate with a serviceperson, simply call your Red Cross chapter anywhere in the country.  We'll get the message through, 24-hours a day.

Health & Safety Services: The Red Cross teaches classes in First Aid, CPR, the use of an AED, Water Safety and Learn-To-Swim, Water Safety Instructor Training, Lifeguarding and Lifeguarding Instructor Training, and Babysitting.

Locally, we will train 8,000 people these live-saving skills. For a list our training opportunities, please follow the link to our Health & Safety Services page.

Blood Services: Nation-wide, the Red Cross collects more than 50% of the nation's blood supply.  The only way to insure a safe and adequate blood supply is for healthy donors to visit a blood drive or fixed donation site and give the gift of life.  It will only take about an hour.  And, there is no better feeling than knowing you have saved a life today.  Please give blood.

Locally, the High Point-Thomasville Chapter will support 285 blood drives at companies and organizations in our area, collecting 10,000 units of blood each year.  For a list of upcoming Blood Drives, follow the link to our Blood Services page.

International Services: At the national level, International Services works with the various Red Cross Movement organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.  The ARC supports the inclusion of the Magen David Adom Society (Israel's relief agency) into the IFRC.

Locally, our International Services program supports our community diversity efforts, focusing on inclusion of all nationalities and races.  Occasionally, we will participate in an International Red Cross message, trying to reconnect long-lost relatives separated by conflict. Every now and then, we get to participate in a tearful airport reunion bringing families back together after decades of separation.

Youth Services: Our 350-strong youth leadership corps performs support for other services and chapter special events.  There are four high school clubs and one chapter-sponsored club. Each youth member receives leadership training and opportunities that will develop their skills and serve them well in their future endeavors.  They form the nucleus of our future adult volunteer cadre for all services.  Over the years, we have had several regional and national youth award winners and now have one member serving on the Red Cross Youth Council at the national level.