| January 2011-BH Chapter of the American Red Cross |
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If disaster strikes, they're on scene. Whether it's a fire, a car accident or natural disaster, the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross is there with relief. But the Red Cross not only helps in times of need, they can also teach children skills that one day will help them go further in life. Amanda Weber introduces us to this group that is committed to kids. Since 1917 the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross has been helping families recover from home fires, flooding, tornadoes and other disasters. Their chapter serves 19 counties in South Dakota with a focus on disaster response and health and safety preparedness. Executive director Richard Smith says a child is involved in almost every disaster they respond to.
Smith says, "Whenever there is something that has affected kids like that, it's a life-changing event. The first thing we do is meet with the family, then maybe try to identify any needs the kids have. That could be anything from replacing a stuffed animal, also having them come talk to a mental health counselor that may be able to help them do that." Smith says they also provide coloring books and even some specific books for the parents on how to deal with a disaster, both emotionally and physically. This year the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 98 house fires. More than 125 kids were affected in those disasters. Smith says, "Almost every disaster there is going to be children in the household, especially here in South Dakota, there is just a lot of kids in a household. So almost every fire we're going to be needed. It just depends on the family's situation and what goes on of how much need there is going to be." Smith says disaster relief isn't the only thing the Red Cross does to reach out to kids. They offer a water safety program and babysitter program at the Rapid City Swim Center. Erin Smith with the Swim Center says, "It does more than I think just teach being a better babysitter. You get life-long skills on how to take care of somebody else, which is a very important skill to learn." The babysitters course teaches girls aged 11 to 15 how to change a diaper, feed a child, and become CPR certified. But Smith says the main goal is to have kids grow up prepared to take on all of life's challenges, showing the Red Cross is truly committed to kids. Smith says, "We try and do everything we can, whether it's having kids come in to volunteer or whether it's going out and teaching them a skill that's not only going to help them go further in life." Black Hills FOX salutes the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross - Committed to Kids. Amanda Weber |
