American Red Cross

Oconee County Chapter of the American Red Cross

224 East Main Street , Walhalla , SC 29691

Phone: 864-638-5619 FAX: 864-638-9242 Email: RedCross@carol.net

 www.oconeearc.org

Mission Statement

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Date/Time Last Modified
5/24/03 1:26:57 PM

Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.

Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject

to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary Service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Date/Time Last Modified
1/15/04 1:27:09 PM

American Red Cross Values

Our values provide the foundation for the way we behave and the standards to which we hold ourselves.

According to volunteers and employees throughout the country, the central values, which are shared universally throughout the American Red Cross, are:

Humanitarianism

Helping Others

Stewardship

Continuous Learning

Voluntary Spirit

Unity

Volunteer Opportunities

Armed Forces Emergency Services: Volunteers provide this emergency communication service to members of family members of military personnel. AFES (Armed Forces Emergency Services) caseworkers verify emergency events such as illness, accident, or death in a service member’s immediate family and relay emergency communications to the service member’s commanding officer for consideration to grant leave.  We are congressionally mandated to provide this service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Disaster Services:  With time to attend a few hours of training and a concern for suffering of disaster victims, you can be ready to help prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster situations in Oconee County .  There is a volunteer need for those available to respond on short notice to provide free emergency shelter, clothing, food, health services and mental health assistance to victims of disasters such as house fire, apartment fires, tornado, flood, hurricane, etc.  There is also support for fire, rescue, and law enforcement personnel during lengthy responses.  This is also a congressionally mandated service provided 24/7.

Health & Safety Services: Instructors may volunteer for chapter and on-site at business and industry in Oconee County to teach Adult, Child, Infant CPR, First Aid, Babysitting, First Aid, Basic Aid Training for Children, First Responder and water safety courses, etc. “Together, we can save a life!”

Support Services:  And just as important is the opportunity to just spend a few hours at the chapter office assisting the staff with day to day activities such as answering the telephone, computer data management, stamping brochures, assisting with special events, assisting with other projects as they arise, etc.

All volunteers are required to fill out an application, sign a Code of Conduct, and attend a brief orientation.   Come by and visit the chapter at 224 E. Main Street in Walhalla.  Feel free to call us anytime at 864-638-5619.