About the Program

As we all know, disasters can strike quickly and without warning. While these events can be frightening for adults, they can be traumatic for children, particularly if they don’t know what to do. In the emergency shelters opened in days and weeks following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, volunteer Red Cross shelter workers began to notice a pattern. Many children entered the shelters carrying pillowcases containing their cherished and basic possessions: a stuffed animal, a special blanket, a favorite book, and, in many cases, not much more. In that chaotic and traumatic situation, an idea was born that has since become known as The Pillowcase Project.

The Pillowcase Project, presented by the American Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter and sponsored by LG&E, is designed to be an age appropriate and engaging way to educate children about the importance of disaster preparedness in a fun and constructive way. Following presentations each student receives a pillowcase, mini first aid kit, glow stick, activity book and crayons to start their own personalized disaster kit and preparedness plan.

In 2011, The Pillowcase Project reached 2,365 students at 25 schools within the JCPS and Archdiocese of Louisville jurisdiction.

Program Goals

The goals of The Pillowcase Project are to:

1. Help students become familiar with the types of disasters that affect our local area including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fires and floods.

2. Inform students and, by extension, families about the importance of creating a disaster preparedness kit and plan.

Get Involved

To schedule a free presentation at your school or to become a sponsor of the program, call 502-561-3642. If you are interested becoming a volunteer presenter, call 502-561-3601.