Red Cross: Everyday partner in caring for your family

NEWTON - The Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross is always there for the big ones: the storms, explosions, fires, and floods. But it’s the little, everyday, things that perhaps count the most, says Patricia S. Day, chapter executive director. “The American Red Cross is in the Sussex County community every day teaching families the skills they need to stay safe, maybe even save a life,” adds Day. “We are working on behalf of the full range of Sussex County residents, literally providing cradle-to-grave programs and services for our residents.” She cites the “Circle of Survival,” a new outreach program, as an example. The program, which children and parents go through together, is designed to provide parents with the knowledge and skills they need to save the lives of their infants and small children in emergencies “It is partially in response to a possible rise in the numbers of babies with a reflux syndrome that can lead to emergency breathing situations and become life-threatening,” Day explains. “We have had parents referred to us for CPR training as a result of this.” Another program, the Red Cross “Lifeline” program, “allows our senior citizens to remain independent while safeguarding their health and safety,” said Day. Still another, the “Fire Safety Trailer,” is a house on wheels used to teach fire safety in the home to young schoolchildren up to seven or eight years old. With summer ahead, the chapter’s current focus is on the various water safety and life-guarding programs, which are especially vital to area youth. The Red Cross teaches progressive swimming, lifesaving, fundamentals of canoeing, responsible baby-sitting, and even pet care. Lifeguard re-certification is now a priority because high-school and college-age young people need to be certified annually to be employed as lifeguards, one of the more popular summer jobs available at area summer camps, lakes and outdoor pools. Day points out that the chapter’s accomplishments are achieved with only four staff members at the organization’s headquarters in Newton. “Without our volunteers, now some 500 strong, we couldn’t do what we do,” she notes. “Each one of our staff members is backed by an average of 75 or more highly active volunteers who make it possible for the Red Cross to truly function as an everyday partner in the lives of every family here in Sussex County.” Donations in support of local Red Cross programs can be sent to the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 93 Spring St., Newton, NJ 07860. For information, call 973-579-1600 or log on to sussexredcross.org.