Kate Leene and Tim Dolan in their West Street building last week.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For 118 years there have been Berkshire County volunteers who, when disaster strikes, stop whatever they are doing, throw on a uniform emblazoned with an internationally recognized logo and charge toward the scene asking what they can do for help. 

 

The American Red Cross opened the Berkshire County chapter in 1895 with a focus on assisting families of armed service members.

 

Now, more than a century later, the chapter is looking to build more support as it continues to help those in need across the county.

 

"If something happens, you know that we're there. There is no question. Whatever needs to get done, this organization is going to be there," Board of Directors Chairman Timothy Dolan said in a recent interview. 

 

Despite the longevity, Red Cross officials say they keeping meeting people who don't know all of the things the nonprofit does — or even where the West Street headquarters are located. They believe in the programs they are offering but struggle to keep them going financially. The chapter is entirely funded by its own fundraising efforts.

 

They are now reaching out to the younger crowd to spread the word and attract more volunteers.

 

"There are so many programs right here in Berkshire County that truly can help and assist our neighbors. The key is to just educate people about what we do," Director Kate Leene said. 

 

Most people have seen the Red Cross vehicle at the scene of fires or other disaster and they have seen the blood drives. But few know that every year dozens of people find new career paths in home health care after taking the Red Cross nurse's assistant training. Nor do they know that the local chapter offers CPR training, baby-sitting classes and partners with camps and organizations to teach children how to swim and adults how to become lifeguards.

 

"They are all fantastic life savings programs," Leene said.

 

The local chapter has three main focuses — disaster relief, which most people are aware of, services to the armed forces and health and safety. Health and safety encompasses the training programs.

 

The group also focuses on disaster preparedness by raising awareness. The organization puts together fliers and pamphlets outlining safety tips for an array of possible disasters such as fires or even heat waves. It encourages families to create plans in case there is a disaster and instructs them on best practices.

 

"We are making sure families and organizations are prepared if disaster does strike," Leene said, adding her first tip. "It is always good to make sure you build your kit, which is a to-go bag that would have water for three days for every family member, food for three days, a first aid kit, a flashlight — make sure the batteries are working in the flashlight, too — and a radio to make sure you're able to keep informed."

 

As part of its goal in connecting with a younger generation, the American Red Cross has launched applications for most types of cell phones. Apps can alert users to hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, wildfires and basic first aid and rally volunteers to a disaster scene.

 

The tornado application, for example, features alerts, tips, tracking of tornados and severe weather, and directions to shelters and is a tool for individuals to leave messages for their loved ones. 

 

"You can go to this online tool and leave a message for your family and friends saying 'I'm safe, I'm at this location, I am OK,'" Leene said, adding that relatives can search for those messages. "It's connecting families together."

 

The first aid application has tips on the best practices to treating burns or reactions to bug bites while the volunteer application sends out alerts to signed-on volunteers if something happens near them.

The national organization has been the only agency able to work with the military to get emergency messages to soldiers in the field. It operates four call centers nationwide — the closest being Springfield — to alert military personnel of emergencies at home.

 

The Red Cross vehicle is taken all over the county to disasters and is filled with basic supplies.

And every winter, it runs a campaign to make sure all servicemen and -women serving overseas get holiday cards.

 

The Disaster Team, numbering some 40 volunteers, shows up at local disasters like house fires with arms full of supplies. The team has assisted recently on the scene of two incidents.

 

"We help individuals with their emergency, immediate needs, which would be food, shelter and clothing. And also, emotional support," Leene said.

 

And, of course, the Red Cross continues holding blood drives because "every two seconds somebody needs blood," Leene said.

 

Providing those services, however, costs money and the organization is entirely dependent on fund raising.

 

"There is always a challenge for money to fund the goals of the Red Cross. We don't receive any federal funding so we totally rely on fund raising," Dolan said. "It is a struggle for every organization but at the same time we are blessed to have some good partners."

 

Raising money can be difficult, said Dolan, because people forget the organization's ongoing help with a disaster or think they will never need to turn to it. For example, the Red Cross had to use a shelter in Williamstown after more than 300 people were left homeless after Hurricane Irene. Dolan said the shelter was opened for weeks but by now has been forgotten.

 

"It fades from reality," Dolan said.

 

But that is where the younger crowd can help, he said, because they know ways to communicate the work they've done to rally the support and they have more ideas and energy to build on.

 

"There are always volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross," Leene said, adding that particularly the disaster team could use people available during the day. There are also seats open on the board of directors.

 

As for funding, the organization would love to raise enough for such things as a replacement vehicle but keeping enough supplies on hand would be good enough. The "core sponsors" are providing a lot of funding but officials say they can use more.

 

One of its biggest fundraisers, an annual golf tournament, is set this  Aug. 19. There are still spots open for golfers and for sponsors. Leene adds that "all of the funds raised do stay in Berkshire County."

 

While funding is a constant battle the non-profit fights locally, Dolan says 118 years of volunteer efforts isn't going away.

 

"Regardless of money, when your house catches on fire, a truck is going to show up with blankets and your basic-need stuff. If a fire occurs, you know that's going to happen," Dolan said, because that is a promise the organization makes all over the world.