Click below for information:
About the Red Cross for Sonoma/Mendocino Counties
Disaster Services
Health and Safety Services
Nursing
Service to the Armed Forces
International Tracing
Volunteers
Financial Support
Driving Directions
To see Red Cross Principles, click here
To learn more about the Chapter's Departments and their functions, click here
For directions and a map to our Red Cross headquarters, scroll to bottom of this page.
Do you know the truth about the Red Cross during World War II? click here to download the story.
ABOUT AMERICAN RED CROSS, SONOMA & MENDOCINO COUNTIES
The American Red Cross has had an active presence in our area since 1898, when Sonoma County volunteers made sandwiches for the men of Company E as it marched away to fight in the Spanish American War. The American National Red Cross officially chartered the Chapter in 1917.
Since that time, the local Red Cross has worked hard to meet the area's growing needs. With a combined population of nearly 600,000 people in two counties, the Chapter has one of the fastest growing populations in the state. It is also an area that is prone to two types of major disasters - flooding and earthquakes.
In this region, American Red Cross comes to the aid of people in many ways, from teaching safety and lifesaving techniques to helping survivors of disasters.
Disaster Services
Home fires: each year, our volunteers assist an average of 60 families and individuals in two counties following home fires.
Hurricane Katrina: An outpouring of community response resulted in our training more than 800 new volunteers, and sending 235 volunteers to help in the hurricane-ravaged areas. 200 people came to Sonoma and Mendocino Counties from Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere. As part of a region-wide working group, we were able to provide help to them all.
September 11, 2001: Immediately following the attacks, we sent 24 of our volunteers to New York and Virginia. The tragedy inspired a flood of Sonoma County residents to train as disaster volunteers. The Chapter trained over 200 people in the first few weeks.
Winter floods, 1995, 96-97, 98, 2006: In one flood season alone (1996-97), our chapter sheltered 952 people displaced by flooding on the Russian River, served nearly 13,000 meals, dispatched 675 volunteer workers, and spent $1.2 million in order to assist clients. From 1995 through 1998, our Red Cross spent more than $4 million assisting Sonoma County flood survivors.
Health and Safety Services
Graduates of Red Cross CPR, first aid, nursing, and many other classes have saved lives after finishing their courses. We teach thousands of people in two counties in 50 different classes each year.
Vamos a Nadar ("Let's Go Swimming") is a groundbreaking program designed by our chapter and offered free of charge to residents in Sonoma County. Designed to help reduce the number of tragic drownings of Hispanic people in local rivers and lakes, Vamos a Nadar offers hundreds of children a free four-hour swim lesson, and their parents a Spanish-language presentation of essential water safety information.
CPR Saturday is a day of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training offered at no charge to the community. Typically, more than 500 participate in the training each year.
Nursing
Our Nursing English, Certified Nurse Assistant, Home Health Aide, and Continuing Education training help our students learn care and nursing skills. With this training, they are able to secure good jobs, starting or continuing their path to financial stability and independence. Our students come from all over the world, from countries as diverse as Liberia, Ethiopia, and Canada.
Service to the Armed Forces
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross to help soldiers. Today her vision is realized when we act as the verifying agency for family emergencies of members of the Armed Forces. Thanks to the work of our Red Cross volunteers, many service members are granted leave by their commanding officers for emergencies such as a family birth or death. We help soldiers in other ways as well, finding financial assistance for them when needed.
International Tracing
The Red Cross has provided tracing for family members lost during war or natural disaster since World War II. Today, we continue to provide this important service through our worldwide network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Volunteers
As a volunteer-driven organization, we depend on hundreds of volunteers for their talent, time, energy and dedication. Volunteers serve on our Board, respond to disasters, teach classes, stuff envelopes, and help put on our annual Real Heroes Breakfast. In 2009, our chapter has 10 employees and approximately 600 volunteers.
Financial Support
Like all Red Cross chapters, we are funded primarily through the contributions of our local community, both individuals and organizations. We receive no direct financial support from United Way or national Red Cross, and very limited support from government. A generous donor remembered our Chapter in her will, enabling us to purchase our headquarterts at 5297 Aero Drive in Santa Rosa in August, 2001. Just one month later, the move enabled us to handle the large and sudden influx of disaster service volunteers who needed to be trained in the wake of September 11th.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Santa Rosa and South
Follow U.S. 101 north to the Fulton Rd. exit. At the first intersection (Airport Blvd.), turn right, going east toward Old Redwood Highway. Proceed 2 blocks. You'll see our building and sign on your right, at the corner of Aero Drive.
From Windsor and North
Follow U.S. 101 south to the Airport Blvd. exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left, going east. Cross Fulton Rd. (at the stop sign), and proceed 2 more blocks. You'll see our building and sign on your right, at the corner of Aero Drive.
