Celebrate World Red Cross Day, May 8
One world – One Red Cross
Every day, Red Cross volunteers are proving one person can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people everywhere.
People all over the world, united in their belief in humanity and their desire to make the world a better place, will take a moment on World Red Cross Day, May 8th to recognize past achievements and look towards a better future.
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May 8th was chosen as World Red Cross Day to honour the birthday of Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the Red Cross. His idea of a volunteer-based humanitarian organization has grown into an international movement made up of 185 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
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Every local Canadian Red Cross region office is part of this larger network – a network which connects members with each other, sends delegates to the areas where they are needed the most, and makes sure no one who needs help falls through the cracks.
“What I’ve seen the Red Cross do very often, is if there is something missing – they try to provide it,” said Barry Salmund, Master Trainer, Red Cross Disaster Services.
Salmund has had a long career of helping others through the Red Cross network. Over the course of his decades-long volunteer history, he has brought his extensive knowledge of relief operations to disaster zones locally, nationally and internationally.
Although every disaster is different, the cooperation and camaraderie is a constant in every Red Cross operation said Salmund.
“You recognize someone else with the Red Cross. There’s a feeling of that person being a friend in another country because you are with the same agency,” said Salmund. “They are there to help – people (in every society) always have a very positive outlook and focus on helping others and doing their share,” said Salmund.
Johanne Hotte, another volunteer with the North/Central Saskatchewan region said the global aspect of the Red Cross is what motivated her to volunteer.
“I think it’s a very reliable and safe organization and it’s the best agency for disaster relief. They (Red Cross) go everywhere and they are known everywhere,” said Hotte. “Red Cross is a very prominent agency in the world – I would say the most prominent. People can count on the Red Cross to be there first. There are lots of agencies, but the Red Cross gets there first,” said Hotte.
To read more about Salmund, Hotte and other Red Cross volunteers visit www.redcross.ca/saskatchewan and click on Volunteers.
