About Us
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We are chapters of the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by our Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement.
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
The American Red Cross of Central New York is the third oldest chapter in the nation, established in the fall of 1881, less than 6 months after Barton founded the national organization. More than 580,000 people in Onondaga and Oswego counties are served by the chapter. As the leader of our regional Red Cross grouping, we strengthen service to a total of 9 counties in Central and Northern New York. This regional grouping serves 1.3 million people.
The Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross has been actively working in the Cayuga County community to help citizens prepare for disasters and respond to emergencies in the home, place of work and out in the community since 1917.
Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help our neighbors— down the street, across the country, and around the world—in emergencies. Locally we respond to approximately 200 disasters every year and more than 500 volunteers help the American Red Cross of Central New York deliver services. We also teach more than 20,000 people each year health, safety and disaster preparedness skills.
Nationally, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to the American Red Cross each year. Through more than 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.
Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.
The Red Cross is not a government agency; we rely on donations of time, money, and blood to do our work. Join today as a volunteer, a donor, or a champion of the Red Cross.
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