SAN BENITO — For 100 years, the South Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross has been serving the Rio Grande Valley.
But, having the home base centered locally doesn’t keep them from serving all areas of the country.
Wherever there is a disaster or people need aid, that is where the Red Cross and its volunteers will go.
“We’re always there,” said Chapter Executive Director Iris Juergens.
Juergens recently spent the morning at the San Benito Chamber of Commerce drinking coffee and dining on breakfast pastries while telling guests the importance of the Red Cross.
One of the things that really affects the Valley and other areas is the weather. There have been 69 weather events across the country, prompting the Red Cross’s help, Juergens said.
Because of this, they have served more than 1 million meals to those in need.
But it’s not just hurricanes and flooding that spur a call to action. The Red Cross gives aid in several areas.
Armed Forces
The chapters within the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region help service members return home to see their families in a time of emergency.
A wide variety of services are available to both military members and their dependents, for both emergency and non-emergency situations.
They also provide hospice services to dying armed service members. “The Red Cross is there when they enter the service. It’s a proper tribute to be there when they transition out,” Juergens said.
Disaster Service
Annually, the American National Red Cross responds more than 70,000 disasters.
That includes house or apartment fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural and man-made disasters.
Health and Safety Services
The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region provides health and safety training that equips people of all ages to prevent, prepare for and respond to life-threatening emergencies.
The health and safety courses cover more than 50 topics such as first aid and CPR, use of an Automatic External Defibrillator, babysitter’s training, swimming and aquatic safety, instructor training and much more.
“The Red Cross provides about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply,” Juergens said.
Volunteer & Youth Services
The Red Cross helps people in emergencies every day. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Red Cross mission and constitute 96 percent of it’s workforce.
International Services
The American Red Cross helps vulnerable people around the world prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies and life-threatening health conditions.
“The Red Cross has been instrumental internationally, playing a major role in the Geneva Convention,” Juergens said. “We don’t take sides, we only respond.”
Locally, Juergens said the volunteers will also be mobilized to help in the event of a fire, through what she calls canteening.
As the daughter of a firefighter who died in the line of duty in San Benito, helping local first responders is near and dear to her heart.
For example, during the 2015 Willacy prison riot, the Red Cross aided first responders by bringing meals and offering emotional support to families.
Just recently, they aided first responders when a San Benito man drowned in the resaca on the Fourth of July.
“For me personally, it’s something meaningful,” Juergens said.
Quick facts about your local Red Cross
The South Texas chapter serves all four counties: Cameron, Willacy, Starr and Hidalgo.
The local office has a paid staff of four.
More than 300 registered volunteers.
Become a volunteer:
Today, more than 1.2 million people volunteer with the Red Cross nationwide, and the ratio of Red Cross volunteers to paid staff is 36 to 1.
One in every 200 Americans is a Red Cross volunteer.
As a Red Cross volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to network with others, strengthen your community, gain valuable experience and gain that volunteer gratification feeling of helping others who need it the most.
Call (956) 423-0523 for more information.
24-Hour Disaster Hotline: (866) 526-8300
