Supporting local preparedness

Joshua Joachim is chief executive for the American Red Cross of Louisiana.

Many thanks for bringing awareness to the American Red Cross’ Pillowcase Project program in your July 13 – 19 feature “Are You Ready?” by Anna Thibodeaux.

When thinking about disaster planning for our families, it is easy to overlook the emotional toll tragedies like home fires and severe weather incidents can have on our children.

The Pillowcase Project not only educates young people how to respond in the event of a disaster, it also empowers them to fear these events less through proactive preparation.

I did want to draw attention to the fact that this, and all Red Cross programs, are made possible through the power of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the support of our local partners.

In particular, our alliance with the United Way of St. Charles not only supports area Red Cross youth preparedness programs like The Pillowcase Project, but also helps fund our service to the armed forces and senior preparedness efforts throughout the parish.

Our United Way partnership also makes possible our local fire response, including fire injury and death prevention programs through smoke alarm installs and family escape planning. Collaborations such as this are critical to our delivery of the Red Cross mission both in St. Charles parish and throughout our state.

Together with the United Way, the American Red Cross is able to prepare, respond and recover thousands of St. Charles residence each year from personal disasters.

With the crest of hurricane season just around the corner, I would like to encourage everyone to support local service organizations like the Red Cross and the United Way so we can continue to deliver these important programs to your community.

 

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