Page 4 - Giving Guide_FINAL

4 A TIME FOR GIVING
The easiest way to find
out when a blood drive is
happening in your area is
to visit redcrossblood.org
and type in your zip code.
While many nonprofits are
seeking food or monetary
donations this season, the
American Red Cross is asking for
something else: blood donations.
A single donation of blood
can save three lives, said Matt
Ochsner, American Red Cross
communications director for Idaho appointment is requested.
and Montana.
“It’s important to realize
someone in this country needs
blood every 2 seconds,” Ochsner
said, whether it be for surgery,
accident treatment, or something
else.
“The need for blood is
constant. We’re asking everyone
to remember those who rely on
this life saving donation,” Ochsner
said. “It’s a very meaningful
TO DONATE GO TO:
redcross.org
the donations. American Red Cross responders
also give aid to individual families,
“About 90% of our workforce
is volunteers,” Ochsner said. such as those who suffer a home
fire. There are volunteer teams
“There’s a lot of ways people can
volunteer.”
across the state.
extends beyond blood donors and up and talk them through, that
“Having those volunteers show
And, the need for volunteers
blood drive assistants. there’s someone there who cares,
goes so far,” Ochsner said. “The
The American Red
emotional support is such a huge
Cross, then and now part of it.”
The Idaho chapter also assists
The Red Cross developed the
first nationwide civilian blood over 550 military families with
emergency communications,
program in the 1940s, according welfare inquiries and other
to its website, and today provides
thing people can do. We couldn’t more than 40% of the country’s services each year, the website
provide without the generosity of blood products.The Red Cross was states.
our donors.” founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, For those who need to contact
The easiest way to find and received its first congressional their active military family
out when a blood drive is charter, establishing a partnership member in an emergency, it’s not
happening in your area is to visit with the federal government, in as easy as a phone call, Ochsner
redcrossblood.org and type in 1900. said. The Red Cross will verify
your zip code. Scheduling an Today, Idaho’s chapter serves the emergency and reach out to
more than 1.4 million people the commanding officer, so they
Those who can’t or don’t wish across more than 94,000 square can get in touch with the family
to give blood but want to help miles, the website states, including member. If needed, The Red Cross
can arrange a blood drive in their counties in Eastern Oregon. can provide financial assistance for
community, or volunteer to assist The chapter responds to a that military family member to get
at one, such as as a temperature disaster approximately every home.
screener at the door or a blood day, year round, according to the “That can be everything from
donor ambassador, who helps website, and brings together over a death in the family to a birth,”
with appointment scheduling 420 local volunteers, “who give an Ochsner said. “There’s a lot that
and ensuring blood donors get a average of 28,000 service hours of goes in, and The Red Cross steps
snack. One can also offer to drive time and expertise every year.” in and takes a lot of stress off that
and deliver blood, to testing sites A disaster doesn’t have to mean service member, often on very
and then to hospitals that need short notice.”
a flood or wildfire, Ochsner said;