Science & Outdoors
The Red Cross offers aid to neighbors and beyond
The Pointer
jlutz715@uwsp.edu
For many people the Red Cross is associated with CPR and lifeguarding, but this global organization is more than meets the eye.
Director of Sales & Marketing/Communications Sherri Galle-Teske said, “Our main purpose is to help people prepare for disasters.” Whether that disaster is a burning house or a flood, Red Cross covers it all.
Some of the other great courses offered by the Red Cross include family caregiving, Certified Nurse’s Assistant and babysitting. As one can see, the Red Cross is all about protecting its community.
One thing that Hurricane Katrina and similar disasters have taught the world is to think globally. Years ago, when people donated blood, they demanded that it stay at the local hospital, only to find later that it was being distributed elsewhere.
“Now people realize that they can help a kid in Texas who needs a blood transfusion rather than keeping it at the local hospital where it might not be needed,”said Galle-Teske. For this reason, the Red Cross is able to benefit so many people across the country.
Although the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is still haunting those in the New Orleans area, donations have dramatically decreased because it has been almost five years since a disaster of Katrina’s magnitude. In these circumstances, it is hard for the Red Cross to offer as much help as is needed because they run entirely off of donations and volunteer workers.
In order to keep their donations up, Red Cross is holding first aid and CPR classes for students and community members. “The fee that those enrolled pay goes directly to the donations of the Red Cross. If a house is needed to be rebuilt because of a fire, those fees help pay for it,” said Galle-Teske.
Most people’s main concern with donating is where their money, care package or blood is going. With the Red Cross it is a no-brainer. “If you come to our office and donate a dime, that entire dime will go to help. And if you want that dime to stay in the Stevens Point area, it will,” said Galle-Teske.
For more information on CPR training or to register for this class, please contact the American Red Cross at 715-344-4052. You can also register online at redcrossncwi.com. Questions regarding other training courses offered by the American Red Cross can be directed to Maggie Keneen at 715-344-4052 or by e-mail at keneenm@charter.net.
