American Red Cross opens new office in parish

Few emergency aid organizations are as recognized as the American Red Cross, which makes it welcome news that it has opened an office in St. Charles Parish.

“The new office will allow our staff to more closely engage with our volunteers and partner organizations active in this area,” said Greg Roques, regional communications and marketing manager.

The new office has opened in the C.A.R.E. Center, 171 Keller St., Hahnville.

Roques said the Red Cross is currently planning a fire canvassing activity in the St. Charles/River Parish area during the month of October, as part of Fire Prevention Month. These events typically involve several teams going door-to-door through neighborhoods offering to install fire alarms for residents who need them, as well as sharing fire prevention tips. These events are promoted in advance so residents who desire these services can plan to be home during canvassing hours.

Also planned for St. Charles in the coming months is a Red Cross Pillowcase Project class at a local elementary school, he said. This hour long course educates children grades 3 – 5 with disaster preparedness; at the end of the class, students receive a pillowcase they can decorate and fill with their own emergency preparedness supplies.

The Louisiana Region of the Red Cross serves the 4.65 million residents in the 64-parish state, while also supporting others across the country and around the world.

This year, the Louisiana Red Cross’ Southeast chapter celebrates its centennial, serving communities the across the greater New Orleans, Northshore, River and Bayou parish areas.

Overall, the American Red Cross in Louisiana has mobilized to assist with volunteers and donor assistance.

Rogues said all Red Cross staff, including more than 4,700 volunteers and staff from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, has been working around the clock to assist victims in Louisiana’s historic flood.

Last year, the American Red Cross of Louisiana responded to 1,530 local disasters and helped 2,000 families rebuild their lives following a disaster, and provided 22,300 people with preparedness and resiliency training. It trained 39,100 people in health and safety techniques., and of them 35 reported they used these skills to save or sustain a life.

In addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers educational programs that promote health and safety, support and comfort for military members and their families, and provide international relief and development programs.