OTHER RED CROSS SERVICES IN SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)
Aquatic Programs
KISS Kids in Safety Seats
Emergency Response Team
International Services
Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)
(top)It's a fact of military life: military families are frequently separated and on the move. No matter how strong the family ties, moves and separations often put strain on relationships. The Red Cross can help with immediate personal and family problems. Red Cross acts as a liaison between the serviceperson, no matter where they're stationed, and their family back home. A Red Cross presence is maintained at U.S. military bases around the world. Families back home simply have to contact the nearest Red Cross chapter for assistance
In the event of an emergency, critical accident, illness, or death in a serviceperson's immediate family, the Red Cross should be called at once. The Red Cross is equipped to verify the situation and relay an emergency leave request to proper military authorities. It is then up the commanding officer to decide whether or not to grant leave.
Regular communication between servicepersons and their families is ordinarily no problem, but sometimes, a long time with no word can become worrisome. The Red Cross can help. Through our worldwide communications network, we can communicate with the installation or ship where the serviceperson is stationed. You'll get a report on his or her welfare to give you peace of mind. Also, servicepersons can request the same service related to families back home.
These are just a few ways your Sheboygan County Chapter of the Red Cross
can help military families. Remember to call us first if you have problems.
Aquatic Programs
(top)Red Cross has a broad selection of aquatic products and courses. Most Red Cross courses are offered through third-party providers like the YMCA and community recreation departments in Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Cedar Grove, Kohler and Plymouth. Over the last 15 years, almost 45 ,000 people took part in Red Cross swimming lessons in Sheboygan County. Our Red Cross chapter directly trains the people who become Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.
KISS: Kids in Safety Seats
(top)The Red Cross KISS program provides:
- Car seats which are easy to install in most vehicles.
- Car seats at a nominal loan cost to parents and caregivers.
- Three different seats: for infants up to 20 pounds, children 20 to 40 pounds and older kids from 40 to 60 pounds.
- Safety for children, peace of mind for parents.
The Red Cross KISS program uses only seats that are approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. You will choose the most appropriate seat for your child, depending on age and weight. Infant seats are rented for nine months or 20 pounds, whichever comes first. Toddler and booster seats are rented for periods of a year. A deposit is collected when the seat is rented and a refund is issued if the seat is returned on time and in good condition. Donations of the refund are encouraged to help purchase more seats and support other Red Cross programs. Seats can not be reserved, but Red Cross normally has a very adequate supply.
Short-term rentals are available as well: great for grandparents expecting young
visitors!
Emergency Response Team
(top)The Red Cross in Sheboygan County has a team of highly trained
volunteers who are available to provide First Aid coverage at various events throughout
Sheboygan County. These volunteers have provided services at Brat Days, Coho Derby,
Lakefest, Sheboygan County Fair, Greek Picnic, Ice Bowling, Holland Days and many,
many more events. The team is well equipped with radio communications and has the
proper equipment to handle first aid coverage over a large geographic area. The
volunteers appreciate donations to help recover the cost of supplies.
International Services
(top)The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been mandated to serve as a neutral intermediary in times of conflict. Its mission is to protect victims of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and the additional Protocols, which give guidelines for protection during both international and localized, armed conflicts. More than 500 people work for the ICRC, and its decision-making Board of Governors is composed of about 25 Swiss citizens. The ICRC's headquarters is in Geneva.
Behind the scenes of war-torn countries, ICRC delegates visit and inspect prisoner-of-war camps, giving detainees their only contact with the outside world. The delegates arrange for the transport and delivery of mail and food packages to the prisoners.
To areas plagued by armed conflict, the ICRC sends appropriate staff members, who offer emergency relief by providing food and medical supplies. The ICRC also operates a central tracing agency, which acts as a global clearinghouse for information on the whereabouts of prisoners of war. Long after a conflict has ended, the ICRC is still involved, coordinating international searches for missing persons.
The League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (League) is charged with the responsibility of coordinating relief efforts following natural disasters, as well as assisting war refugees. Founded by Henry P. Davison of the American Red Cross in 1919, the League acts as a clearinghouse for resources coming in from national societies during international disasters.
Through special missions, the loaning of experts, and the organization of technical seminars, the League helps national Red Cross societies develop and expand their own programs and improve their administrative operations.
The League provides people in this country an opportunity to donate funds to benefit disaster victims no matter where they are in world. The Red Cross society in the country affected by disaster is familiar with what victims require to return to normal. Most aid flows from Red Cross societies in wealthier countries (like the United States) to societies in poorer countries. But even the American Red Cross has received help from other societies at times. Hurricane Andrew and the last California Earthquake prompted aid from other parts of the world.
And we help right here in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. In the Summer of 1999, we helped six Kosovo refugee families settle into new homes in Sheboygan. Today, all are self-sufficient and the children are in school. Your Red Cross can also help local families locate and communicate with loved ones they may have lost track of over the years, through International Family Tracing .
There are many other ways in which the Red Cross benefits the people of Sheboygan
County. Call us and find out how.
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