American Red Cross of Central SC

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Your Red Cross provides food, shelter and comfort to those in need, as well as casework and recovery assistance for disaster survivors. This support is always delivered at no cost to those affected by disaster, and while we are always prepared to respond to disasters, we also work to prevent them. Swift action when an emergency occurs can save a life, so we help families become better prepared for crises through free educational presentations. The Red Cross has installed 4,594 free smoke alarms in homes, saving 150 lives since 2014, and last year, provided $1,322,000 in financial assistance after disasters for people in need. In addition to disaster relief, the Red Cross provides training services in the Midlands, and last year more than 14,000 people received skills such as First Aid, CPR, AED, and water safety. 295 students received youth disaster preparedness. Through our Services to the Armed Forces program, we connected with over 1,400 military veterans and their families, providing casework and support. Our missions also include blood services, collecting 22,672 units of lifesaving blood through more than 1000 blood drives in the Midlands.

Testimonials

Henry McKie of Columbia, South Carolina was one of more than 60 senior residents displaced after an apartment fire. While only one apartment was damaged in the fire, 23 residents, including McKie, stayed overnight at an American Red Cross shelter due to a power outage in their apartments. McKie describes his gratitude for the quick response after his building was evacuated- "I can't say enough about the Red Cross. You see on TV the Red Cross responding to events like this, but until you're involved in it yourself, you have no idea how much they help people out who are in need."