During a recent onsite award presentation, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter presented the Lifesaver Community Award to the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. A Red Cross Celebration Team, comprised of volunteers and staff, took part in the recognition event to celebrate the YMCA’s outstanding commitment to helping communities throughout the St. Louis community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
“The YMCA of Greater St. Louis was one of the first large organizations with multiple locations to purchase an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for each branch, and is one of few organizations that has oxygen tanks onsite,” said Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “Their commitment to creating a safer community is evident by placing this emergency equipment onsite and by providing training to employees and the public to prepare them to respond during emergency situations.”
Details regarding YMCA of Greater St. Louis’ preparedness efforts include the following:
- Actively provided Red Cross health and safety training to employees and the community for the past 8 years.
- Since January 1, 2006, YMCA of Greater St. Louis instructors, certified by Red Cross, have taught over 1,200 classes collectively.
- Purchased 22 AEDs for each branch and then added a second AED to the Trout Lodge/Camp Lakewood in Potosi.
- Has 22 oxygen tanks onsite.
- Hosted 216 blood drives since 2005.
About the Red Cross Lifesaver Program:
The Lifesaver Award Program, sponsored by AAA, is designed to inspire others to get trained in First Aid and CPR by recognizing local citizens for preparing themselves to respond in an emergency situation. Last year, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter trained more than 82,000 local residents in CPR and First Aid, including more than 17,000 in the use of AEDs. Since its inception in 1984, the Red Cross Lifesaver Program has honored more than 330 St. Louis heroes. The program supports the Red Cross mission to help our communities prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. In 2007, the St. Louis Area Chapter expanded the Lifesaver Award Program to include the Lifesaver Community Awards.
For More Information:
To learn more about the Lifesaver Community Awards or the programs and services provided by the American Red Cross, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
