Did you know that every two minutes someone in the United States is in need of a blood transfusion? Did you know that every eight minutes the American Red Cross responds to a disaster in the United States?

The American Red Cross was established almost 130 years ago, and today the association has more than 1.2 million individual chapters.

The Lee County Red Cross began in 1917 around the time the United States entered WWI. Before the war there were only 100 Red Cross chapters. Immediately following the war the American Red Cross grew to 3,000 chapters.

“We were one of those chapters that were born during the war,” says Jennifer Ryan, the executive director of the Lee County chapter.

As the executive director, Ryan handles the overall management and day-to-day operations at the Lee County office. However, her duties do not end there. She is also the communications director, and handles the media, the website and all corporate communications. She has been with this chapter for nine years.

The American Red Cross is without a doubt an organization for the people, by the people. “We are 100 percent funded through contributions of the American people and our local community,” says Ryan. “”We are not a government agency, so we don’t get any government funding. It’s all donations driven.”

Ryan explains that although her chapter is not a government agency, it is chartered by Congress and supported by individual contributions. “We pretty much ask anybody who’s around for money. That’s how most Red Crosses are funded; just gifts of the American people.”

Although the Lee County Red Cross is capable of performing with the contributions it receives, partnerships are also important to its success. The partner services division helps pair the chapter with local churches, non-profit organizations and community groups. “We recognize that we can’t do everything, and we rely heavily on partners,” says Ryan.

During Hurricane Gustav, the Lee County Red Cross provided shelter for escaping residents. After the storm evacuees tried to head home, but they were faced with the problem of buying gas.

“Gas isn’t something the Red Cross really does, so we had a local Elks Lodge that came and gave them gas cards,” says Ryan. “That was a great partnership for us. It got our clients back on the road and that’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to get them home where they were happy and safe.”

The Red Cross is not just about coming to the rescue. It provides Americans with both reactive and proactive responses. “Our mission is to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. So response is just one little part of our mission,”

The Lee County Red Cross is out in the community everyday. They go to local schools and work places to provide citizens with preparedness classes. They teach them how to build supplies kits and how to safe-proof their houses. “We do a lot of preventative type training,” Ryan explains.

No matter what the disaster, the Lee County Red Cross is always ready, and they have been for 91 years now. However, they could not do it alone. “Every chapter is supporting themselves with local donations,” Ryan says. Gifts from the American people are what keep them going.




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