Ripley County Red Cross has been a chartered chapter of the American Red Cross since June 1, 1917. The Ripley County Red Cross operates on funds received from the general public, fund raising events, grants and gifts through trust funds. Ripley County does not have a United Way/United Fund; therefore, the Chapter must raise all funds needed to keep services up and running. 

The Chapter provides assistance to those affected by fires, floods, tornados, and ice and wind storms. Assistance ranges from shelter to food and clothing. When requested by the local emergency management agency, the Chapter also opens shelters to provide a safe place after a disaster strikes. Ripley County Red Cross offers disaster education to the community. Classes include preparing volunteers to assist with disasters and disaster preparedness to be ready when disaster strikes.

 

The Chapter offers biomedical services assistance every 56 days in different areas of Ripley County by hosting blood drives. Blood collected is used in local hospitals to help save lives. Each pint of blood collected could save up to 3 individuals lives.

 

The Chapter provides 24 hour emergency communications services to military family members who need to get a message to a service man or woman. The Red Cross is their communication link. Emergency communications include illness of a loved one, death of a family member, birth of a child and often health and welfare.

 

The Chapter offers courses in CPR, First Aid, AED (Automatic External Defibrillation), CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Blood Borne Pathogens, Life Guarding, Swim Lessons, Scrubby Bear hand washing class to prevent the spread of germs (used at local schools) and Basic Aid Training.

 

The Ripley County Red Cross provides assistance to the International Red Cross by working with the global network of Red Cross societies to help assist after a major disaster. The assistance is raising funds to help disaster victims improve basic living conditions.