Red Cross: where a community turns in time of need

"Prevent, Prepare for, Respond to"

	On Thursday, March 28, Mr. Mark Pacilio visited our Social Studies class. He is the Director of the local Red Cross.  This is something he told us. The American Red Cross is over 100 years old. Clara Barton created the American Red Cross. It actually began in Switzerland. It began there because in war they needed someone to take care of them [the wounded]. They called it the Red Cross because the flag of Switzerland is red with a white cross; they just reversed it.
Mr. Pacilio has been in the Red Cross since January 1999. After the Carthage fire they asked the American Legion for use of their hall for a shelter for people. They have a car that looks like an ambulance. It carries blankets and they can feed people right out of it. It is called the ERV; Emergency Response Vehicle. The Red Cross provides funds for victims of disasters. They get vouchers for food, clothing and shelter. They help anyone. Mr. Pacilio told us about one man who has given 23 gallons of blood in 32 years. He gives blood about every 6 weeks. You have to be 16 to give blood for people who need it. Luis
	Responsibilities of the Red Cross · Help in disasters · Collect and distribute blood · Train life guards and aquatics instructors · Teach first aid and CPR