The American Red Cross is a lifeline to the United States Armed Forces. SAF is uniquely equipped to provide an exclusive worldwide communication and support network that serves as a link between active and retired military service members and their families, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 888-737-4306. In addition, the Chapter provides an economic safety net for low-income military family members who do not qualify for government welfare benefits and has partnered with Military OneSource and Military Home Front to provide social services, emergency travel, financial assistance and mental health support for returning troops, National Guard and Reservists.

• 989 emergency messages were delivered to and from local military families
• 857 military cases were processed
• Over 200 local military members and veterans from the VA Medical Center received holiday stockings through the Red Cross Stockings for the Troops program.
• 1,187 individuals received outreach services and 835 attended “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” briefings.

*All figures are from Fiscal Year 2009, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

The Red Cross provides international humanitarian relief through a variety of services.

• 704 International social services contacts were provided, including 50 tracing requests related to natural disasters, armed conflict and the Holocaust.
• During Hurricane Season 2008, the American Red Cross committed more than $7 million to meet local needs in the Caribbean and Latin America.
• 279 people attended courses in International Humanitarian Law, Measles/Malaria Initiatives and General International Services.

In addition, the Red Cross partnered with the University of Miami and other non-profit organizations to form The South Florida Humanitarian Network for Cuba (SFHN). SFHN is an effort to ensure an effective and efficient humanitarian response for South Florida and beyond should a change in Cuba, affect our community.

*All figures are from Fiscal Year 2009, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

The Red Cross and its trained instructors offer a variety of courses including: Babysitter’s Training, CPR /AED, First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Lifeguard Training, Water Safety & Pet First Aid. The Red Cross also offers the opportunity to become a certified instructor. Training is available at basic and professional levels for many of the courses listed above. Click here to register for training.

• 16,607 people were trained in lifesaving CPR and First-Aid courses
• 426 young Red Crossers completed Babysitters Training
• 97,592 people enrolled in aquatic programs

*All figures are from Fiscal Year 2009, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

Emergency Disaster Relief
The American Red Cross South Florida Region provides disaster response services to Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Fire is the number one disaster the Chapter responds to every year. When a fire or other disaster occurs, the Red Cross staff and volunteers are on the scene immediately, providing families and individuals with emergency social services, warm meals, a place to sleep, and clothing. Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency needs, enabling those affected to get back on their feet. Your local Red Cross*:

• responded to 556 local disasters, including 515 fires
• gave direct assistance (food, clothing and shelter) to 966 families, valuing $404,675
• gave community disaster education to 191,110 people

Click here to view the Local Disaster Response map.  Once there, click on the Florida link.  A pop up with appear that will allow you to see responses in both Broward and Miami-Dade & The Keys.

*All figures are from Fiscal Year 2009, July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009