About
Our Mission in Action
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies nearly half of the nation's blood, teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
So just exactly what does that mean? Every day a family somewhere loses their home and everything in it. Every year, thousands of California families are affected by disaster -- home fires, wildfires, floods, earthquakes and more. The mission of the Red Cross is to save lives by working with communities to prepare for disasters and, when they strike, to provide immediate shelter, food, clothing and compassionate assistance to help families during those first, critical hours and days.
Blankets, hot meals, a safe place to lay down and sleep, toothbrushes and other personal needs, mops, brooms and shovels, strong arms to lean on and understanding ears to listen -- simple things that help people cope with the loss of big things.
- $25 provides 5 blankets at an emergency shelter
- $75 provides medical attention for an injured individual
- $350 provides emergency shelter and food for 25 disaster victims for one day
- $3,200 provides maintenance and fuel for one year for one emergency response vehicle
The Red Cross works hard to be there with the simple things that help families cope with big losses.
