DeKalb Red Cross

Agency Contact Information

Agency Head: Michelle Emmett, Executive Director

Address: 2727 Sycamore Rd. Suite 2A DeKalb IL 60115

Phone: 815-756-7339

Fax: 815-756-6627

Website: www.dekalbredcross.org

Agency Description

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The DeKalb County American Red Cross (DCARC) serves the community through four core services:

Disaster Relief:
Whether we are responding to a family forced out of their home by a fire or an entire neighborhood left homeless by flooding, the Red Cross is committed to being there for the community during their time of greatest need.  The Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers typically arrive at the scene within two hours of being notified of a disaster
and provide emotional support as well as emergency financial assistance. Members of DAT also provide needed food, clothing, shelter, and medical needs to victims of disasters and also provide canteening to the emergency workers onsite. After ensuring the clients immediate needs are covered, the DAT team follows up with them and connects them with community organizations that can help with permanent housing and donations of food, clothing and furniture.  All of the services the DCARC DAT team provides are offered free of charge to those who need our help.  Currently, no other organization in the community fills this role.

Health and Safety:
The DCARC provides several courses to businesses, organizations and members of the community that help them prevent and prepare for emergencies.  Certified instructors teach national curricula to help lay responders to feel more confident in their ability to respond to health emergencies. Our courses meet standards for OSHA, DCFS, and the Emergency Cardiovascular
Committee. Our main classes include First Aid/CPR/AED, Babysitting Safety, Learn to Swim, and Wilderness First Aid, among others.

Assistance to Armed Forces / Veterans:
The Red Cross is the only authorized provider of emergency communications (messages related to births, deaths, and illnesses),
emergency loans, and leave verification for soldiers and their families when medical, financial and other hardships occur.  Our chapter also provides financial assistance that helps WWII Veterans with medical needs such as hearing aid battery replacement, prescription eyeglasses or other medication costs.  All of these services are offered free of charge to veterans, members of the military and their families.

Blood Services
The Red Cross supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood including to VA hospitals and the military, if needed. The blood collected from DeKalb County goes to help patients in many of the greater Chicago area hospitals.  Last year DCARC
Blood Services facilitated the collection of 381 units of blood that could save up to 1,143 lives.

The DCARC does not receive federal, state, “stimulus” funding, nor do we receive any funding from the National American
Red Cross, in fact we pay yearly dues to our “parent” organization.  The DCARC relies entirely on the generosity of the people and organizations of DeKalb County to ensure that we have the resources necessary to accomplish our vital
mission.  Funds that come to the DCARC support local programs and services.