Local Red Cross reviews 2010 at annual breakfast event

Local Red Cross leaders shared their vision and their mission with potential donors Thursday morning at the second annual Red Cross Experience breakfast.

Mike Mahan told how the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Red Cross helped his family after a fire ravaged his home on Parkview Street in Jackson last October.

"You think of the Red Cross when you see a huge disaster on TV. You see them passing out water to people in need," he said. "Until we had our house fire, I never thought I would be the one in need."

Mahan, his wife and their four children were among 600 family members helped by the local Red Cross following home fires last year.

"A police officer gave us a card with information about the Red Cross and said they can help. It was then I knew what disaster meant," Mahan said.

Assistance from the Red Cross helped Mahan provide some normalcy for his children after the fire and helped get them back to school the next day, he said.

"When you don't have anything, what's not a lot to you is a lot to me," Mahan said.

Along with helping families after fires, the local Red Cross also trained 13,000 people in its first aid, CPR and water safety classes and assisted 270 military families make emergency contact with soldiers during 2010.

More than 100 volunteers assist the local Red Cross, but executive director Cheryl Klueppel said more volunteers and additional training are needed.

"These volunteers are only as good as the training, tools and support we can give them," she said.

The Red Cross is seeking donations through its Clara Barton Society to support and expand its services.

Attendees Thursday were asked to make pledges of support following a video and photo slide show presentation. A total of $52,700 was pledged during the event.

"Our vision is to make lifesaving education readily available in our 10 counties that currently do not have a training site and that one member of every family is trained in CPR, first aid" and automated external defibrillators, Klueppel said.

People who complete Red Cross training most often use life-saving skills on a family member or close friend, she said.

"It has been said that we are in uncertain times. Well, I am certain of this: People will always need the Red Cross. And you can be certain your Red Cross will be there," Klueppel said.

For more information, visit www.semoredcross.org.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

3257 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO