St. Louis Region's Red Cross Head At The White House Friday

Today marks a very special day for the organization, as the White House hosts “American Red Cross Day”. Cindy Erickson, CEO of the Greater St. Louis Region, is in the nation’s capital for the event.

Today’s theme is “Red Cross: Building Resilient Communities”. It is an opportunity for the Red Cross to demonstrate how it is working to build resiliency in communities across the nation and around the world using technology, innovative ideas, and old-fashioned hard work.

St. Louis is being highlighted at the event, as Erickson speaks on a panel about the now-national Red Cross Ready Rating Program™. Created in the St. Louis Area Chapter in 2008 with support from Anheuser-Busch, the program helps businesses, schools and organizations become better prepared for emergencies through the use of a 123-point self-assessment tool. The panel focuses on corporations, non-profits, international partners and faith-based groups. It will be moderated by Brian Kamoie, Senior Director for Preparedness Policy, White House National Security Staff.

“This is a great opportunity for the Red Cross to showcase all aspects of our organization, from Preparedness to Disaster Response, to Service to the Armed Forces and Biomedical Services,” Erickson said. “It’s all of the things the Red Cross is doing right here in our communities in Missouri and Illinois.”

This afternoon, the White House will show a webcast of panels highlighting individual Red Cross stories. During National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross is grateful the White House has chosen to give a spotlight to building resilient communities, as disasters affect more and more people each year.