On July 12, 70 members of the Red Cross First Aid Service Team (FAST) will play an important role in the Great Circus Parade as performers head through Milwaukee’s downtown for the first time since 2003. FAST members will hand out water to ensure performers and residents attending the parade can battle dehydration. With more than 25 hours of training, FAST members can also care for parade participants or local residents who become ill or injured.

FAST members will also get a unique perspective of the Great Circus, as they provide first aid to people attending the festival and circus performers at Veterans Park from July 8-13. These dedicated team members will be located at stations throughout the festival, ready to provide immediate and temporary care to spectators.

More than 200 volunteers serve on FAST every year. Members staff more than 70 community events a year, such as Summerfest, the Waukesha County Fair, Miller Ride for the Arts and Special Olympics.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.