The Red Cross of Alaska Reaches Major Humanitarian Accomplishments in the Last 12 Months
Disaster Responses, Smoke Alarm Installs, Youth Disaster Preparedness, Services to the Armed Forces all Increase in the Last Year
ANCHORAGE, AK, August 7, 2017—The American Red Cross of Alaska, a nonprofit organization committed to providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, today announces its impact from the past fiscal service year, July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017. Its most notable impact for the year includes an increase in statewide disaster responses, smoke alarm installations, youth preparedness programs and Services to the Armed Forces.
“Reflecting on the 2016-2017 fiscal year, I take great pride in the dedication and spirit of our remarkable Red Cross of Alaska volunteers and employees, said Red Cross of Alaska CEO Tanguy Libbrecht. “I also feel an enormous debt of gratitude for the commitment and generosity of our donors. Together, we have accomplished so much in our community.”
The Red Cross of Alaska Impact Highlights
Disaster Responses
The Red Cross of Alaska responds to calls for assistance, on average, nearly once a day state-wide. In fiscal year 2017, the Red Cross of Alaska opened 305 cases and assisted 958 people across 55 Alaskan communities. This is a 30% increase in cases opened and a 44% increase in individuals assisted over fiscal year 2016. The number of communities served also increased by 14% from 48 to 55.
Volunteers, all across the state, offer their time and talent to serve their communities.
“It is safe to say that the Royal Suites Apartments, the response in Savoonga, and an increase in Fairbanks and Northpole [responses] are the biggest drivers of this year’s increase,” said Regional Disaster Officer Volunteer Partner, David Williams.
The winter storm in Savoonga over New Year’s 2017 and the Royal Suites apartment complex fire in February 2017 where both Level Two Red Cross disaster responses, meaning they are larger than a single family fire and require a larger amount of staff, volunteers and donations to support the effort.
Home Fire Campaign
The Red Cross of Alaska installed a total of 2,311 smoke alarms in fiscal year 2017. This is a 62% increase of smoke alarms installed over fiscal year 2016.
The Red Cross of Alaska and its partners provide and install smoke alarms to Alaskans in need at no cost. This is a part of the ongoing Home Fire Campaign.
The American Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign in 2014 with a goal of reducing the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. The nationwide campaign is now credited with saving at least 258 lives.
“In this country, seven people lose their lives every day from a home fire,” said Libbrecht. “Even one death from a home fire is tragic. Over the next few years, the Home Fire Campaign will keep on going to help protect people and prepare them for emergencies like a fire in their home.”
In fiscal year 2017, the Red Cross of Alaska and its partners have:
Thank you to our Red Cross of Alaska Home Fire Campaign partners:
The Pillowcase Project
The Red Cross of Alaska has presented the Pillowcase Project to a total of 1,884 youth in Fiscal Year 2017, surpassing its goal of 1,500 by 126%
The Pillowcase Project is a national program offered in schools, after-school programs, summer camps and other youth programs and events to teach 3rd - 5th graders and their families how to prepare for disasters.
The program teaches students how to create their own emergency supplies kit by packing essential items in a pillowcase for easy transport during an emergency. Students have the opportunity to decorate and personalize their pillowcases during the presentation, and are encouraged to take them home to create a kit.
The Red Cross of Alaska has presented in 46 classrooms, 4 after school programs and 2 military installations, as well as a Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts group, a summer camp and a tribal organization.
The Red Cross of Alaska strives to connect with youth in communities statewide. In fiscal year 2017, it presented near Bethel, the Arctic Circle, and in remote areas of the Southeast.
The Alaska instructors cater the presentations to common disasters faced in Alaska, such as earthquakes, winter storms, floods, home fires, and tsunamis.
Pillowcase Project in Action Video:
Symbol of Strength Positive Visualization Exercise: https://youtu.be/bC0lKnehG2o
For more information about The Pillowcase Project, visit: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/school/preparedness-education/the-pillowcase-project
Services to the Armed Forces (SAF)
The Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program dates back to the establishment of the American Red Cross by Clara Barton in May 1881. Not only did the “Angel of the Battlefield” risk her life tending to soldiers wounded in the Civil War, she bolstered their morale by writing letters for them to send to their families. Today’s American Red Cross workers proudly carry on this tradition through the SAF program, which serves as a critical line of communication between the U.S Armed Forces and their families.
The Red Cross of Alaska has Service to the Armed Forces offices located on JBER, Ft. Wainwright and Eielson AFB staffed by Red Cross employees and volunteers. However, SAF is available to serve service members and their families in every region of Alaska including all National Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard installations.
Red Cross of Alaska SAF Program Successes in Fiscal Year 2017:
For more information on Red Cross of Alaska SAF, visit:
http://www.redcross.org/local/alaska/programs-services/services-to-the-armed-forces
About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
The American Red Cross of Alaska offers food, shelter, comfort and hope to Alaskans when disasters strike. The Red Cross of Alaska is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers to perform its mission. It is not a government agency, and relies primarily on the generosity of fellow Alaskans and businesses to help fund its vital programs. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or follow us on Twitter at @redcrossak.
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