Thanks to you, the Red Cross was able to assist those displaced by fires, including Dodge County residents who needed shelter.

• responded to more than 500 local disasters.
• instructed 75,000 individuals in lifesaving skills like CPR, first aid and how to use an automatic emergency defibrillator.
• trained 8,670 individuals, including school groups and businesses, in community disaster education – empowering people with the skills and confidence to be ready for disasters and life’s emergencies.
• provided 1,648 emergency messages, referrals and related services to U.S. service members, veterans and their families through our Service to the Armed Forces department.
• trained First Aid Service Team volunteers to provide basic first aid to people at more than 80 local events.

“When you take a step back and look at how many people were helped, and in so many different ways, it really is quite remarkable,” said Chapter Executive Tracey Sparrow. “But even more special is the fact that the only way we can do this work is because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Their support and compassion, enabling us to do extraordinary things in this community every day, is simply magnificent. On behalf of our entire community, I am grateful for their generosity.” 

Behind these numbers are the stories of the people that the Red Cross serves is where the real difference can be seen.

The call came into the Milwaukee office. Serviceman Michael Ramig, currently home on regular leave, was requesting emergency leave extension to be with his wife, Mindy and newborn son, Caleb. During pregnancy a problem with Mindy’s gall bladder was discovered, but could not be addressed until after the birth of their child. She needed Michael home to care for Caleb so she could recover from surgery.

“We called Red Cross because that’s where we were told to call if we needed help,” recalls the new mother. “The caseworker took care of everything. She called my OB-GYN to verify I had given birth; called my specialist to confirm I needed the surgery; then she connected with the correct person overseas to secure the extended leave. She was wonderful.” Five weeks after Caleb’s birth, Michael, a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, returned to his post. Shortly after Michael left, Mindy returned to work. “It meant the world to me to have him home,” shares Mindy. “If he wasn’t able to help, I was going to just live with the pain. Red Cross made it possible for us to have that time together there.” 

“We understand how precious gifts of time, money and blood are to members of this community,” said Sparrow. “We are committed to being good stewards of the gifts and trust that our donors place in us.”   

You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.