Three Ways the American Red Cross Helps Build Communities

For Global Community Day (June 22), Citi is partnering with non-profit organizations to build communities across the globe. One of our partners is the American Red Cross, with whom Citi has longstanding and meaningful relationship. Citi and its employees support the American Red Cross with such initiatives as addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy through extensive philanthropic support and volunteer efforts in the affected areas. Below is a guest blog post from the American Red Cross President of Humanitarian Services on the organization's work and partnership with Citi and the Citi Foundation.

We congratulate Citi as the company celebrates its eighth annual Citi Global Community Day on June 22nd and thank its leaders for inviting the American Red Cross to play such an important role again this year. Last year we were honored to mark Citi's 200th anniversary and saw a successful turnout of Citi volunteers who worked hand-in-hand with local Red Cross chapters across the United States as well as globally. The Red Cross could not perform our mission without strong partners and we're proud to count Citi as one of the strongest.

Below are three ways our approach has helped build communities:

1. We solve small problems before they become major challenges for communities.

When emergencies strike, there is no time for hesitation. People are forced from their homes, left without food and water, separated from family members or missing critical medications--these unfortunate scenarios are all too common. To respond the instant it is safe to do so, the American Red Cross must work with communities to prepare year-round.

Community-based resiliency is the next wave of disaster preparedness in America. Solving small problems before they become major challenges saves lives, time and money. This is evidenced by a FEMA study that finds that one dollar spent on disaster preparedness saves up to ten dollars on disaster response. A resilient community is one that possesses the physical, psychological, social and economic capacity to withstand, quickly adapt and successfully recover from a disaster. The Red Cross provides the subject matter expertise in disaster cycle preparedness to help build the local capacity to manage and mitigate disasters.

2. We use innovative technologies to serve and engage with communities

The Red Cross has launched an online volunteer system called Volunteer Connection, which allows new volunteers to match their skills and interests to community needs. This online management system is currently used in chapters and other areas of the Red Cross across the United States, and is a great tool in servicing communities by maximizing volunteer engagement. Another recent development was the opening of the Red Cross Digital Operations Center at our Washington, D.C. headquarters, which is the only social media monitoring center devoted to humanitarian relief efforts.

3. We have a strong network of partners and community leaders.

Our community partners have helped us send nearly 3 million greetings to military families around the world through our Holiday Mail for Heroes program; collect more than 6 million pints of lifesaving blood donations; respond to 70,000 disasters a year and help with recovery efforts; and provide over 500,000 trained volunteers who are ready to go when disaster strikes.

In addition, the financial support from partners such as the Citi Foundation towards the Annual Disaster Giving Program (AGDP) enables the Red Cross to invest in their disaster readiness infrastructure. This preparation allows us to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost.

Interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross?

Anyone interested in volunteering with us can contact their local chapter or go to redcross.org. The broad and deep mission of the American Red Cross provides opportunities for virtually any interest a volunteer might want to pursue.