As part of the American Red Cross of Illinois’ ongoing Operation Cookie Drop initiative, a dedicated team of Quincy-based Red Crossers came together last week to bake, package and deliver 84 boxes of cookies to local fire departments and first responders.

Operation Cookie Drop is intended to show gratitude to local fire departments for the vital work that they do in helping keep communities safe and to help inform the first responders of the kinds of services the American Red Cross offers to local families and individuals’ recovering from disasters such as home fires.

A few of the many local fire departments that have received these boxes of cookies include the Quincy Fire Department, Tri-Township Fire Station and Adams County Rural Fire Stations.

To bring this initiative to life in the Quincy and the surrounding areas, the American Red Cross of South & West Central Illinois was proud to bring together incredible teams of volunteers, board members and community partners to show our appreciation to local first responders and remind them of the role the Red Cross plays in disaster response.

“I’m so proud to work alongside mission-driven, hardworking people who show up, take ownership and lead with purpose,” Dawn Morris, Executive Director of the South & West Central Chapter of the American Red Cross of Illinois said. “This is what servant leadership and community partnership look like in action. I’m so grateful for this team.”

A Growing Need: Volunteers Needed

With a major disaster now occurring every two weeks across the country — on top of the daily toll of home fires — the Red Cross urgently needs more volunteers to ensure no one faces crisis alone. From extreme weather to house fires, the growing demand for emergency support calls for a strong and diverse volunteer force ready to respond.

The Red Cross is proud that its volunteers reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. People of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are welcome. Currently, the most-needed roles include:

• Disaster Action Team (DAT): Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.  
• Shelter Volunteers: Ensure needs of shelter residents are met and help them access additional services.
• Blood donor ambassadors: Engage with blood donors by greeting them at blood drives, helping them register, answering questions, providing information and assisting them at the refreshments table.  
• Blood transportation specialists: Volunteer transportation specialists support hospital patients by delivering blood from our facilities to local hospitals. If you have a little free time, love driving and enjoy meeting new people, the Red Cross has a great volunteer spot waiting for you. 

Join us. You’re invited to put on a red vest and join the Red Cross team. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to get started today. Free online training will be provided.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.