Red Cross sponsors put on their red carpet outfits and headed to Pioneers Museum on Tuesday where they celebrated World Red Cross Day.
Every year on May 8, Red Cross chapters across the world celebrate the birthday of Henry Dunant, the original Red Cross founder.
The Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization that helps prepare and respond when disaster occurs. They also help train people on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life-saving techniques.
Besides celebrating Dunant’s birthday, the Imperial Valley Service Center takes the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work that the community is doing here, said Sylvia Elia Preciado.
Preciado is service manager of the American Red Cross in El Centro and the coordinator of the event.
Pioneers Memorial Hospital director of emergencies Jerry Ibarra said the service center has helped trained the hospital staff.
He also said that when it comes to disaster preparedness not everybody is aware of how important it is to be ready.
“If they are prepared, they don’t have to depend on the hospital supplies, which will first go to the people that need them the most,” Ibarra said.
Alex Silva, president of the Imperial County Fire Chiefs Association and Holtville fire chief, said the Red Cross has done so much for the fire service, and that he will support it in any way he can.
“Anytime we have a large fire, they’ll respond and provide water, Gatorade and food for the firefighters,” Silva said.
The goal for the Red Carpet extravaganza celebration is to collect $10,000, but Preciado recognized that the economic crisis has touched them too.
Some people have decreased their donations or have had to stop them because of financial difficulties.
Still, Preciado said the service center has been able to transition at a level that has modernized their operations. Registration and schedules are available online and the center is working cohesively with the national team, which saves time and money.
The organization is mobilizing humanity globally, Preciado said. She also said that she would like to see more people volunteering in the Imperial Valley.
“We want people to take active roles in supporting the work that we do,” Preciado said.
For donations or volunteer information please go to www.sdarc.org
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