The American Red Cross has been serving Tallahassee and the surrounding area since 1917. In the past eighty-three years, the American Red Cross has provided a helping hand by reaching out to local residents, and last year touched the lives of more than 10,500 people in the eight counties that we serve. The American Red Cross provided a "helping hand" that was needed following a disaster, helping to get loved ones home from the military during an emergency, training people in first aid, CPR, swimming, and HIV/AIDS courses.

Our Armed Forces Emergency Service and Disaster Services programs are high priority services that are available twenty-four hours a day for emergencies. Following major disasters, such as the Attack on American, Hurricane Dennis and Katrina Jeanne and the our Disaster Services program has responded quickly and efficiently in helping victims in need. And, when a loved one is sick or dies, it is important to provide that information to a family member in the military stationed far from home. Volunteers provide essential services in both of the programs. The American Red Cross was recognized as "Charity of the Year" by Money Magazine for dedicating an average of 92% of it's income to programs. Across the country, the ratio of paid to volunteer staff was 1 to 507, volunteers contributed 98% of the American Red Cross workplace nationwide.

During the past year, the Capital Area Chapter:

• Provided more than 850 services for military clients and their families.
• Responded to 183 single-family fires in our eight county service area.
• Trained 6,000 people in first aid, CPR, swimming, and HIV/AIDS education courses.
• Used more than 2,476 volunteers to augment only six paid staff in providing the "helping hands" for all Chapter programs.
• Sent 364 Disaster Services volunteers to disaster relief operations in response to Emergencies and disasters throughout the United States.

YES! The American Red Cross remains ready to respond in time of an emergency. We'll help, will you?

"Help Can't Wait" is our slogan. Quick response and dependable services are features that we offer in all of our programs. We measure these through the Standards of Excellence that we are committed to provide locally. And, while service is an important product, we are also pledged to offer the embodiment of our hearts as well as reaching to find the best mix of people and service in a diverse community. We expect the future to continue to be eventful. We are committed to responding to our highest standard whether that response is to a house fire in the middle of the night or to teaching CPR to new parents. This is our vision and commitment for our community.

The basic principles of the Red Cross are -

• Humanity.
• Impartiality.
• Neutrality.
• Independence.
• Voluntary Service.
• Unity.
• Universality.