The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Description:
RESPONSE/DISASTER SERVICES provides immediate emergency assistance to victims of disaster and support to disaster workers anywhere in the tri-county jurisdiction and community education of preparing for disasters.

ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY SERVICES (AFES) provides emergency communication between the members of the armed forces and their families and referrals for emergency financial assistance.

PREPAREDNESS teaches others to save lives Standard First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Pet First Aid, Babysitting, Water Safety (including swimming lessons), HIV/AIDS Education and Disease Transmission Prevention.

RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) utilizes volunteers 55 years and older in over 120 agencies in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester & Colleton Counties.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES recruits volunteers for the above programs and general office duties. See specific volunteer program listings for opportunities and requirements.

The Red Cross has been a funded partner of the Trident United Way since 1955. The programs of the American Red Cross are made possible by the voluntary services and financial support of the American people.

History:
The American Red Cross has served as the nation's foremost relief agency for 125 years. The Congressional Charter in 1905 mandates that the agency provide disaster relief, but no government funds are obtained for this purpose.

On November 27, 1905, the first local meeting was held at the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. One of the Charleston Chapter's first major projects involved raising money for a proposed military hospital in the area. The local blood program was started under the Savannah Chapter in 1950, and in 1956 a sub-center of the Savannah program was established at the Medical University Hospital. In 1963 with the addition of Berkeley County and Summerville to the Charleston chapter's service area, the Chapter was renamed the Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. And in 1969, the Chapter's current geographic area was established with the consolidation of the Upper Dorchester Chapter.

In 1987 the Carolina Lowcountry Chapter moved from downtown to Rivers Avenue at 526, and the South Carolina Region blood services program joined them a year later. Lingering structural damages from Hurricane Hugo forced the Chapter and Blood Region offices to move to 8085 Rivers Avenue while the old building was demolished.

Contact person: Lisa Miller-Wills, Director of Volunteer and Youth Services, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (843) 764-2318

Address:

8085 Rivers Avenue, Suite F North Charleston, SC 29406 (See a map)

Directions:

Our new offices are located at 8085 Rivers Avenue, Suite F North Charleston, SC 29406. We are now in the Rivers Park Business Center on the corner of Rivers Avenue and Greenridge Road, next to Miller-Motte Technical College.