In times of trouble, the Canadian Red Cross is there. It responds to disasters around the block and around the world, and counts on the support of individual and corporate donations, as well as the dedication of an army of trained volunteers.

Sudbury citizens support the Canadian Red Cross when it puts out the call out for volunteers for initiatives such as the seniors’ transportation program. In the past year residents donated 26,000 hours in volunteer services to the Sudbury branch.

“It is their dedication that keeps our efforts going,” says David St.Georges, community services co-ordinator.

Citizens also help out when asked to make donations to help victims of house fires, floods or natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

In the 2008-2009 year, the Sudbury office assisted 159 individuals as a result of personal disaster such as flooding, fire and gas leaks.

“This has been through our personal disaster assistance program which is volunteer operated by trained volunteers whom are on call 24 hours a day. Assistance comes in the form of housing, food and clothing for the first three days after a personal disaster,” says St. Georges.

Most recently, the Red Cross asked for cash donations to assist those affected by tornadoes in southern Ontario in late August. Donations were used to meet short-term needs, particularly for those who have been left homeless for what could be as long as weeks or months.

In the fall of 2005, Sudbury residents witnessed the Canadian Red Cross in action as it helped evacuees from Kashechewan find a temporary home in Sudbury after they were forced to leave their community because of unsafe water supply.

A year later Greater Sudbury citizens donated more than $50,000 to the International Red Cross Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

Other Red Cross programs that benefit this community include: 

- Respect Education: Empowering youth on their rights through meaningful education in the classroom. Courses focus on topics such as bullying, sexual abuse, relationship abuse, neglect and healthy living. 

- Housing Services Program: Assisting clients with one-time payments of rent and utilities to keep them safe in their homes and preventing them from becoming homeless. 

- Home Maintenance: The home maintenance program assists seniors in staying independent. Workers take care of larger chores such as house cleaning and yard work. Like the seniors’ transportation program, this is part of the Ontario government’s Aging at Home Strategy.

Funding for Red Cross services comes from United Way, government grants and public donations through fundraising and appeals.

The next large fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross is the Northern Raffle which runs from November through March 2010. This initiative is supported by all the northern branches.