Every minute of every day, there is someone, somewhere, in need of help. While you read this, the Red Cross is responding to disasters of every size and scope, providing relief to those in need, free of charge. Whether the crisis is immediate or personal, affects a single community, the entire nation or spans the globe, Red Cross is there.

Nowhere is this work more compelling than in southeastern Wisconsin. Each year, local Red Cross volunteers respond to more than 600 fires providing food, clothing, shelter and most importantly, a shoulder to lean on. More than 78,000 people enroll in Red Cross health and safety courses to learn life-saving skills in CPR, First Aid and Water Safety. And, hundreds of emergency messages are delivered to members of the Armed Forces and their families, easing the difficulties of serving our country.

To respond effectively and swiftly, Red Cross must continuously build its capacity to respond to disasters. Red Cross must also ensure that the blood donated through it is safe and available whenever needed. And, Red Cross must seek to reduce the number of accidental deaths in schools, homes and work places.

The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We rely on donations from the public to support our programs and services. We respond immediately. Won’t you? Donate today.