The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of
disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Description:
The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina provides three main services: Disaster Relief and Preparedness, Services to the Armed Forces and their families, and Health, Safety and Youth Education Courses.

Our disaster service staff and volunteers are busy responding to disaster in our local community every seventeen hours. For large and small disasters, the Red Cross meets the immediate needs of victims: shelter, food, clothing, life sustaining medication, infant supplies, and essential toiletries. All Disaster Assistance is free to disaster victims. The Red Cross also provides disaster preparedness education to members of the community in our quest to reduce the number of preventable disasters.

For military personnel, the Red Cross acts as the only emergency communication link between families and their loved ones in the military, sending urgent messages when needed. The Red Cross is also there to provide emotional counseling to all serving in the military through what we call “Coffee House Chats.”

The Chapter’s Health and Safety Department is the “teaching arm” of the Red Cross, to educate and better prepare the community for emergency situations. Your local Red Cross trains thousands of people every year to be safe and to save lives.

History:
The American Red Cross has been in existence since 1881. The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina was established in 1917 and serves over 900,000 people in ten counties including: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda and Sumter.

The American Red Cross is not a government agency. Our programs rely on financial support and voluntary service from generous citizens in our community. In fact, 95% of our local Red Cross workforce are volunteers. Volunteers are the heart of the American Red Cross!

Contact people:

Scott Salemme, Chief Executive Officer, (phone), (email) Greg Parks, Project Director, (phone), (email) LaJuanya Jones, Chief Operating Officer, (phone), (email)

Address:

2751 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 (See a map)