The local chapter, the American Red Cross of Southwest Texas, provides three primary services through an extensive network of well-trained volunteers throughout the region of the surrounding 26 counties, including Howard County.

The services include disaster relief, service to armed forces and health and safety services.

Disaster relief services includes assistance to people affected by disasters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting victim's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs, including safe shelter, food, clothing, health and mental health services. The support and aid given to victims enables them to resume their normal daily activities as quickly as possible. All assistance is based on verified disaster-caused needs.  

Red Cross disaster services also expand to helping emergency workers by providing canteen services for refreshments.  Disaster relief services are free to victims as an outright gift from the American people.

In Howard County this past year, the Red Cross assisted with house fires, wildfires, and the Alon Refinery explosion.

Service to armed forces assists families of military members to send their loved ones emergency messages and financial assistance as necessary. Emergency messages include birth announcements, illness and death notifications, and requests for members to come home due to an emergency crisis.

Health and safety services provide training for emergency and life-threatening situations, including CPR and first aid, lifeguard training, water safety and swim lessons, babysitter training and family caregiving.

In addition, the Red Cross educates the community by conducting practical and helpful preparedness activities to improve the safety and self-reliance of individuals, families, schools, businesses and community groups in injury prevention, lifesaving tools and responding to emergencies.

Every day, the staff of the American Red Cross of Southwest Texas works with community partners, county officials and emergency management personnel to provide services as well as sharing educational information that teaches the public how to save lives, reduce injuries and protect homes.

The American Red Cross of Southwest Texas does not receive any funding from the federal government or national Red Cross to help meet its mission. Funding is solely provided by local residents, foundations, businesses, and the five United Way organizations in the region area, including the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County.

Donations are very much needed and can be sent to P.O. Box 60310 Midland 79711. Opportunities for Big Spring disaster team volunteers are available by calling 800-219-2154.

The United Way of Big Spring and Howard County supports the American Red Cross as well as 14 other local agencies. All donations to the United Way of Big Spring are used for the support of these local agencies, as well as the activities and benefits they provide the Big Spring-Howard County area.

Please send your tax deductible donation to United Way of Big Spring, P.O. Box 24, Big Spring 79721, or call 267-5201 for more information.