To the rescue: Red Cross helps residents cope during disasters

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Families prepare to watch the fourth annual Quack-a-Thon held at Meadowlake Park in March. The event, which features rubber duck races is a fundraiser for Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. (Staff Photo by SHAWN YORKS)
A family watches the ducks’ progress during the fourth annual Quack-a-Thon held at Meadowlake Park in March. The event, which features rubber duck races is a fundraiser for Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. (Staff Photo by SHAWN YORKS)
Robin Unruh
Patrons try to keep warm during the fourth annual Quack-a-Thon held at Meadowlake Park in March. The event, which features rubber duck races is a fundraiser for Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. (Staff Photo by SHAWN YORKS)
Ducks bob on Meadowlake Park lake during the fourth annual Quack-a-Thon held at Meadowlake Park in March. The event, which features rubber duck races is a fundraiser for Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. (Staff Photo by SHAWN YORKS)

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April 17, 2010

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle The Enid News and Eagle Sat Apr 17, 2010, 10:29 PM CDT

ENID — American Red Cross has been serving the Garfield County area since 1917.

The Garfield County chapter was established in 1917, in 1999 it was rechartered to Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and in 2000 it annexed Alfalfa, Blaine and Major county chapters.

Approximately 230 volunteers help the local Red Cross respond to families experiencing crises because of events such as a fire, tornado, flood or ice storm.

“Our basic supports are food, clothing, shelter, and if they have any medical needs, like getting their prescriptions or if they need to have eye glasses replaced, (the chapter tries to assist),” said Robin Unruh, Cimarron Valley executive director.

The Red Cross usually is notified by the fire department when there has been a family displaced. Once on the scene, chapter representatives assess needs.

“If they lost all of their clothes, we help with that. If their house is totally destroyed we find a hotel for them to stay in,” Unruh said. “We can help with rent assistance if their home was completely destroyed. It is based on case-by-case ...”

Besides responding to disasters, Red Cross chapters offer programs to help the community.

“Our biggest ones we offer (is) CPR/first aid training,” Unruh said, adding they also offer a first aid for pets program.

Baby-sitting training classes for children ages 11 to 15 are provided, and currently the chapter is focusing on life guard and water instructor training, she said.

“Another service the Red Cross is known for is service communication.

If a family member needs a message sent quickly to someone in the armed services, Red Cross can help.

The Red Cross chapter also complete community service programs, such as hosting first aid booths at events and health fairs.

All this in addition to responding to disasters that may occur in the state or nation.

“We have volunteers that can respond locally, statewide and nationwide,” Unruh said. “We are required to have volunteers who can respond to a 10- or 21-day assignment.

“We have an emergency release vehicle that can respond. We most recently used it down in Lawton for the ice storms.”

The Cimarron Valley chapter focused on fundraising throughout March, but according to Unruh the organization still is about $30,000 under its goal. The drive was expanded through April.

“The Red Cross relies on the public. We are not a government-supported organization. We rely on the donations of the communities,” Unruh said.

The local Red Cross chapter was named one of 80 best-performing chapters — out of 805 evaluated from across the United States by the national Red Cross. The chapter was scored on a comprehensive set of performance criteria through its chapter performance standards system.

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To the rescue: Red Cross helps residents cope during disasters

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