MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. It is considered as one of the nation's premier humanitarian organizations, dedicated to helping people in the United States and throughout the world.
The American Red Cross reaches out and keeps pace with the ever-changing military too. Here aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, the ARC offers a variety of services to military members and their families such as disaster assistance, volunteer courses and communications.
"I can't put words into what I've felt when helping a family through a time of need or a crisis," said Christine E. Maly, chairman of volunteers for the Red Cross on base. "It's just so rewarding to know that you are helping someone; it helps you grow as a person and allows you to develop so many new skills.
"Volunteering is my life; that's what I get out of it."
The Kaneohe service center falls under the Hawaii State Chapter, which services the entire state. The state chapter comes into action in a time of need to assist when the military is not able to.
"If there is a fire, and the family is in desperate need - of perhaps clothing - we are there to give a voucher for that clothing or whatever other items the family may need to help them get through that time," said Maly. "If there is a national disaster, that may be too big for us to handle. We can provide them with numbers on who they would need to contact."
The Red Cross provides Family Disaster Preparation. It teaches what families can do to help themselves in a time of crisis, said Maly. The ARC comes up with family disaster plans, to include a kit filled with not only first aid equipment, but also flashlights and meals.
Maly said there is always a spot open to volunteer with the Red Cross on Kaneohe Bay; however, volunteers must attend an orientation and submit an application. If selected, the volunteer is trained in first aid, CPR, lifeguarding, baby-sitting, and instructor duties.
"The volunteers we train work at the pool, beaches, library, marina and even in dental," said Maly. "If volunteering for dental, you will learn complete dental assistant curriculum after 500 volunteer hours."
Providing the armed forces with communication links are also a big part of the services provided. If a family member is deployed and needs to reach home, the Red Cross can provide the information on what can be sent and who is eligible, said Maly. The commands are informed of this, as well, so word can be passed along and the service provided.
"We are everywhere that there are troops," said Maly. "The commitment of the Red Cross is demonstrated in the fact that wherever you go, you will find us.
"Although we may report to other bosses, we all work under one cross together."