CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – When you hear the name American Red Cross, the first thing that may come to mind is donating blood, but many people are not aware that the Red Cross is so much more.
The Red Cross also responds with help for people in disasters, and not only large disasters across the nation but also smaller, local disasters, that affect individuals, families as well as our friends and neighbors, according to Pamela Holz, executive director of the Tennessee River Chapter. The Red Cross is always there, and one of the first on the scene when a family loses their home to a fire, a flood, a tornado or other disaster.
The Red Cross also supports service members and military families at Fort Campbell and works with other installations around the country.
A long list of Red Cross training and classes are offered to the community. You’ll find preparedness classes, health and safety courses, first aid classes for CPR and AED, swimming classes, babysitting classes, and more.
“Those classes have continued despite COVID-19. We continue to make sure people are getting educated on how to perform those lifesaving skills,” Holz said.
The Tennessee River Chapter also serves Fort Campbell and with 11 other counties in Middle Tennessee, stretching from Kentucky to Alabama along the Tennessee River. Volunteers from the local chapter deploy all across the country to help with disaster relief services.
At this time due to the pandemic, the Red Cross office is closed at 1760 Madison St., but they are still accepting blood donations at the site, with blood drives scheduled on Monday and Wednesday of each week. To donate, schedule an appointment online at redcross.org.
The Red Cross provides 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply with 80 percent of that coming from local blood drives.
To learn more, become a volunteer, get training and certifications, or make a monetary donation, visit redcross.org.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.