Southwestern Illinois Chapter 1639 Main Street Alton, IL 62002 618.465.7704 sicarc@sbcglobal.net

The American Red Cross, SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER serves all of Madison County except the Tri-Cities and Collinsville Township. Additionally, the Chapter also has custodial responsibility for Bond and Calhoun Counties. In fiscal year 2003, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, the Chapter delivered all programs and services to 36,546 people locally, while volunteers reached 88,000 people during 11 National Disaster Operations.

Disaster Services: Our disaster volunteers reached 89, 959 people. This figure includes local disaster victims, new disaster volunteers, persons receiving community disaster education, and those helped by deployment of the Chapter's volunteers to 11 National Disaster Operations. Local assistance was provided in 72 cases with 182 individuals receiving emergency food, shelter, and clothing.

Health and Safety: The Chapter's Health and Safety Programs reached 14,710 people through First Aid/CPR, water safety, HIV/AIDS prevention and other lifesaving programs. Youth programs, such as Scrubby Bear, Babysitter Training, and Longfellow Whales Tales, were provided for free, bringing valuable information on health and safety issues to more than 7,761 children.

Armed Forces Emergency Services: The American Red Cross us mandated by the U.S. Congress to provide emergency communication between family members residing locally and their loved one serving in the Armed Forces. The Chapter opened 143 cases on behalf of local families needing to get information to their sons and daughters serving their country and stationed at home or overseas. The number of individuals reached through this program totaled 286.

Blood: Although we provide many services to the community, the public most often associates the American Red Cross with its blood services. The SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER provides administrative and volunteer support to the Missouri-Illinois Blood Region in recruiting donors and advertising and promoting blood services. The Chapter reached more than 17,992 people through this program. Volunteers gave 13,658 whole blood units at 329 blood drives; another 21 donors made aphaeresis donations. Four hospitals were provided 4,313 units of blood for patient use.

Medical Assistance Program: Funded by the United Way & HUD's Community Services Block Grant, this program assists non- and under-insured persons with prescription medication and other medical needs. The program assisted 556 people with prescriptions; we gave 36 air-conditioners and 54 fans to people due to medical necessity. Information and referrals were offered to 953 people.

The american Red Cross is not a government agency and receives no government monies. The SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER is funded by community donation, grants, foundations, and the United Way. Thank you!