Nonprofit Spotlight: American Red Cross of Tampa Bay

The American Red Cross is one of the nation's most well-known nonprofit organizations. The ARC teaches skills such as CPR and provides disaster relief for people in need - including those in Tampa Bay.

Patch recently talked to Janet McGuire, regional communications officer for the American Red Cross's Tampa Bay chapter at 3310 W. Main Street.

Patch: What is the goal/mission of the ARC?

McGuire: 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 and Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Patch: How did the organization get started, and with what purpose?

McGuire: In 1859, Henry Dunant saw the ravages of the war while traveling to northern Italy to meet with the Emperor Napoleon III. Deeply affected by the wounded men he saw, he immediately organized a voluntary aid service that would come to be known as the International Red Cross.

At the same time, America's Civil War brought a former school teacher and government worker Clarissa Harlowe Barton to the front to care for the wounded. Her dedication and determination quickly earned Clara Barton the appellation "Angel of the Battlefield." After the war, Barton learned of the Red Cross movement established in 1863 by Dunant and founded the American Association of the Red Cross in 1881. The American Red Cross then received a Congressional charter in 1905.

In 1917, 36 years after the American Red Cross founding, groups of local citizens successfully petitioned to establish chapters in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and in Pasco County.

Patch: How does the organization differ from other blood donation services such as Florida Blood Services?

McGuire: Some four million people give blood - the gift of life - through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.  However, Red Cross chapters in Florida are not blood collection sites.  We do not duplicate services that are already provided in the community, and fully support Florida Blood Services.

Patch: Why is the ARC important for communities like Carrollwood and Northdale?

McGuire: Last year, more than 500 local families needed our help when they lost their homes to local disasters - fires being the most frequent and devastating tragedy we faced. We oversaw thousands of dollars from a grant to support veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq. We connected 1,000 service members to their families during their greatest times of need. We taught 40,000 of your neighbors CPR, so they could one day save the life of someone you love.

Being prepared can minimize injury and destruction during a disaster. We taught Community Disaster Education classes to 13,570 people. We made presentations to a variety of groups: school children, families, Girl and Boy Scout troops, civic groups, retirees, businesses, colleges and more.

Patch: How can the community get involved if they want to donate blood, funds or volunteer?

McGuire: We depend on nearly 1 million volunteers nationwide, and thousands in Florida's West Coast Region to carry out our mission as the world's leading humanitarian relief agency. As a Red Cross volunteer, you can help provide support to disaster victims, teach safety classes and assist our military members and their families facing crisis situations. Through all of our programs, Red Cross volunteers help change the lives of approximately 100,000 local residents each year.

To make a monatary donation, visit www.flwestcoastredcross.org <http://www.flwestcoastredcross.org> . The Tampa Bay Chapter headquarters can be contacted at (813) 348-4820.