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The Mission of the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its congressional charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

• Find your local Chapter
• Want to help? You Can!
• Events in Pennsylvania Red Cross History
• General Information About the American Red Cross - 1995
• Support your Red Cross - Planning for the Future
• The American National Red Cross Home Page
• Pennsylvania Red Cross Chapters and Blood Centers on the Internet

General Information About the American Red Cross

Mission

The American Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the Untied States, led by 1.4 million volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its congressional charter and the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Management

The 50-member, all-volunteer Board of Governors directs the American Red Cross and establishes the polices under which chapters and Blood Services regions across the county operate. The organization's strong reliance on volunteers to set policy and oversee programs helps to ensure that the Red Cross is responsive to community needs. Volunteers formulate all Red Cross policy and have final authority over the organization's paid staff. From the smallest community's chapter to national headquarters, Red Cross boards -- representing a cross-section of community and national groups -- set and evaluate the organization's direction. All paid staff members, from entry-level chapter personnel to the President of the Red Cross, are accountable to volunteer leadership.

American Red Cross Activities

Disaster planning, preparedness, education, and relief. The Red Cross responded to 68,225 domestic disasters and reached more than 12 million people with community disaster preparedness information in 1994.*

Emergency communications and assistance to members of the armed forces and their families. The Red Cross processes 4,000 emergency communications every day -- one every 22 seconds. In 1994, the Red Cross oversaw more than one million cases of assistance to members of the armed forces and their families.

International disaster relief and preparedness, tracing, support for international humanitarian law, and national society development and capacity building. The American Red Cross office of International Services works with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in more than 160 nations around the world to provide relief and assistance to those in need.

Health and safety services, including CPR, first aid, lifeguard training, and swimming. This year, more than 15 million people enrolled in Red Cross health and safety classes. In 1994, more that 3.1 million people received direct health services from the Red Cross, including treatment at first aid stations, and blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.

Blood, blood products, and tissue services. The Red Cross collects over five million units of blood each year and provides about half of the nation's blood supply and one fifth of tissue needed for transplantation.

HIV/AIDS education. Almost 1.9 million people enrolled in Red Cross HIV/AIDS education courses in 1994.

National Office of Volunteers. Some 1.44 million people volunteer with the American Red Cross nationwide. The ratio of Red Cross volunteers to paid staff is 45 to 1.

Structure

• Number of Red Cross chapters: 1,672
• Number of Blood Service regions: 43

• Volunteers: 1.44 million
• Paid Staff 32,169

• 1884 First Known Red Cross Youth Activity
• 1889 The Johnstown Flood
• 1955 Ohio River Flooding
• 1972 Hurricane Agnes
• 1977 Johnstown Flood - Again
• 1979 Three Mile Island - Radioactive Materials Leak
• 1996 Northeast Floods/Storms

The following are Web Sites of
Pennsylvania Red Cross
Chapters and Blood Regions.

John Rinciari               Andrew Slaten

Remembering the Red Cross by Will

Do you plan to remember the Red Cross in your will? By using the following language, you can ensure that your gift will be distributed as you intend.

• To make a gift to your local Red Cross chapter, use these words: I give, devise, and bequeath to the American National Red Cross for the benefit of the ______ Chapter, the sum of ______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

• If you wish, you may specify your gift to the national sector of the Red Cross as follows: I give, devise, and bequeath to The American National Red Cross, the sum of ______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).
  
  
• In the absence of donor direction to the contrary, a gift to the national sector will be placed in the Endowment Fund for permanent investment, with only the income being used to finance Red Cross services.

• Or, you may designate a gift to the Endowment Fund for the benefit of your local chapter, using this language: I give, devise, and bequeath to The American National Red Cross, to be held in its Endowment Fund for the benefit of ______ Chapter, the sum or ______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

Supporting the Red Cross Through Other Planned Gifts

Following are other types of planned giving that can save you taxes while benefiting those who depend on the Red Cross during emergencies:

• Gifts of Appreciated Securities -- You can give a gift of appreciated securities held long term and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value. You do not pay capital gains tax on the transfer.

• Gift Annuities -- When you give a gift annuity, you transfer a specified amount of cash or stocks to the American Red Cross. In exchange, you receive a guaranteed fixed regular payment for your life and/or that of your spouse or friend ( the older the beneficiaries, the higher the rate). In addition, you can take a sizable charitable deduction.

• Deferred Gift Annuities -- If you give a gift annuity now and delay the payments starting for several years, both the charitable deduction and your rate of return may increase dramatically, You may be able to give a significant gift and still increase retirement income.

• Pooled Income Fund -- This fund is a giving plan for you if you want to receive an income for life that has the possibility of growth through the years. The gift is combined with the gifts of others so that the principle can be invested as a larger sum for the benefit of each giver and the future good of the Red Cross. This gift has the potential to eliminate the capital gains tax on appreciated assets that are donated. It is similar to a mutual fund, but with the bonus of an ultimate charitable gift.

• A Gift With Income That Never Changes -- A charitable remainder annuity trust is a way to make a gift that allows you to retain income for life or for a specific amount of time. The funds are held separately by a trustee and invested for payment of a fixed, regular income.

• A Gift With Variable Income -- Like an annuity trust, a charitable remainder unitrust provides an income. But, unlike the annuity trust, the income will increase or decreased with the value of the assets placed in the trust. Gifts through remainder trusts also have the potential advantage of the avoidance of capital gains on property contributed.

• Gifts of Real Estate -- When you make an outright, irrevocable gift of real property to the American Red Cross, you may be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction equal to the full fair market value of the property. A donor who gives this type of gift may save capital gains tax on gain, while benefiting by a substantial charitable deduction.

• Creative Gifts Through Retirement Plans -- Once retired, you may accumulate funds from a company pension plan or IRA that exceed your need for comfortably supporting your lifestyle. It may be tax wise for you to make a testamentary gift from such accounts that will perpetuate work vital for the well-being of future generations.

• Revocable Living Trusts -- At the termination of a revocable lining trust , a portion of the assets in the trust can be used for charitable bequest through a will, such a gift may be deductible from estate taxes and can be delayed until all family members have been provided for. This type of trust can protect you and your family and benefit the American Red Cross when you no longer need the assets.

• A Large Gift at Little Cost Through Life Insurance -- One of the simplest ways to make a significant gift is to name a Red Cross chapter to receive all or part of the proceeds of a policy no longer needed for its original purpose. Ownership of a policy also may be transferred to the Red Cross with significant tax benefits. An additional way you can make a gift of insurance is to name the Red Cross as a beneficiary or co-beneficiary on a new policy.

• A Gift of Lasting Significance -- There may be no better way you can pay tribute to another than through a memorial gift. All the above-mentioned types of giving can include a memorial tribute to a loved one.

We would be happy to work with you to accomplish your goals through giving, after careful consideration of you individual circumstances. Please consult your local Red Cross chapter and your professional advisor. Thank you for thinking of the American Red Cross.

Comments or questions are invited.

© Copyright 1996 The American National Red Cross