CHENANGO COUNTY – The Red Cross is known for two things – blood drives and disaster services – but in an effort to help residents help themselves, the Red Cross is offering several programs to help people become educated and prepared for the incidents that may lie ahead.
Currently, the Red Cross is offering two programs, a Halloween Safety program, aimed at elementary aged children, and a Red Cross Ready Program, aimed at helping adults to become prepared in the event of a disaster.
The Halloween Safety Program is a 15 to 30 minute program that can be scheduled for youth organizations or school functions.
The Red Cross Ready program helps people to identify the items needed to prepare a disaster kit, establish a disaster plan, and informs them of what may happen during a disaster and how they can help. “This is a big part of what we’re doing now,” said Chenango County Red Cross Supervisor Michael May. A six week shopping list for disaster kit items is available online.
The programs, offered to groups or organizations by request, can be broad in nature or can be specialized for a specific demographic or event.
“We want to help as many people as we can. If you have the preparation and the education, you can take part in your own rescue during a disaster,” May said. “People can help themselves and others during times of disasters.”
The Chenango County coordinator explained that the Red Cross is taking every opportunity to reach out to the community. The organization will have a booth at the Pumpkin Festival and at local health fairs. “We’re trying to get out the word that the Red Cross is here and that we want to help educated people,” May said.
Anyone interested in the Red Cross programming can call the Norwich office at 334-4565 for more information. The programs offered by the Red Cross change throughout the year, but May said current program information is always available online at www.southerntierredcross.org. People are also welcome to stop by the office located at 27 West Main St. in Norwich.