Dear Friend,

It is such a privilege for me to write to you today. Our local North Central West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross has a great story to tell and we have a vision to continue serving our neighbors when disaster strikes and in other practical ways as one of the family. The North Central West Virginia Chapter area includes: Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Randolph and Upshur counties.

This year we are striving to:

·         Raise awareness about the Red Cross locally, our identity and purpose and what we’re doing,   Encourage volunteerism among our donors and partners who continue to work with us, and   Lead in new ways to respond to our neighbors in urgent need.

Did you know that last year, we:

·         Responded to 93 local disasters, including two apartment fires, helping 193 families;

·         Helped 122 military personnel connect with their families regarding emergency communications and assisted in 9 military loans;

·         Provided training, certifying 7,466 individuals to perform lifesaving first aid, CPR, AED, and lifeguarding;

·         Collected 5,923 units of blood.

Please review the accompanying information and consider how you might commit to partnering with us this year looking ahead. If you have any additional questions or would like to receive a presentation about the American Red Cross, please contact us. Please take a moment to complete the enclosed response card and return it in the envelope provided. Thank you for partnering with us – it will change a life.

Sincerely,

Robin Moore, Executive Director

It’s a good business decision…

Partnering with the American Red Cross is easyto do – we suggest a few ways that you can choose to connect with us that will both benefit your organization and make a meaningful impact in your community.  Take a moment and check it out. 

Change a life.

What are my choices?

Provide a gift of financial support toward your Chapter’s disaster response program.

·        Recruit and train an employee in your office to be a designated first aid and CPR responder or instructor.

·        Encourage employees to receive disaster services volunteer training.

Preparedness and Health & Safety Training

This past year, we provided trainings certifying more than 7,466 individuals to perform lifesaving First Aid, CPR, AED, lifeguarding and other vital skills. If your office was one of them – you may need to consider acquiring the recertification training. Being prepared when in a lifesaving circumstance is priceless – Maintain your certification.

Disaster Services

We responded to 93 local disasters this past year, including two significant apartment fires, helping 193 families. We have 133 active disaster volunteers prepared to help us respond and we need to build a financial reserve to provide supplies, help and care when disasters occur. Please consider helping us by providing a tax-deductible donation – or enrolling you or your team to become a trained disaster services volunteer(s) to get involved.

We helped more than 122 military personnel connect with their families regarding emergency communications over the past year. We also assisted with 9 military loans. Making connections with military personnel actively deployed is extremely important. When the message must get through – we can help. We also reach out to military families who are coping with the struggles associated with deployment. We help Active-duty personnel, National Guard, Reservists, ROTC, US Coast Guard, Recruiters, US Public Health Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Military Retirees, Veterans, and Families of all of the above.

It’s You!

You’re in a unique position. You are connected to all kinds of people in our community every day. They trust you and trust in you. Thanks for serving in that role. We hope you will consider partnering with us at some level to continue building a better community.

Whether you choose to become certified as a first responder, a disaster services volunteer – or providing resources to prepare for the next disaster, we need your help. Please review the response materials and make a commitment or contact me for additional information or a presentation. We hear it all of the time - the greatest appreciation comes from those we serve – and on their behalf we thank you. 

Contact us for more information

Robin Moore, Executive Director

 304.624.7689 x15

moorero@usa.redcross.org

Heather Williams, Preparedness Heath and Safety Director

304.624.7689 x16

williamshea@usa.redcross.org

Connie Hull, Disaster Services Director

304.624.7689 x11

hullc@usa.redcross.org

Rob Johnson, Development Director

304.624.7689 x18

johnsonrobp@usa.redcross.org

On facebook ? You can become a fan on our facebook page. If you’re a member of facebook, just login - search for “North Central West Virginia American Red Cross”  - select - view our page  –  click on “become a fan.”  www.facebook.com

E-mail ? If you provide us with an E-mail address we will send event and activity updates to you occasionally. Provide us with your comments and questions. We hope to hear from you. Send your correspondence to: JohnsonRobP@usa.redcross.org

Website ? For more information. This is the website of the North Central West Virginia Chapter.   www.americanredcrossncwv.org