When emergencies strike, people may wonder how they could aid the situation. However, members of the Red Cross Club do not wait for disaster to strike; instead, they prepare, volunteer and step up to support their community long before help is truly needed. They do things from organizing blood drives to raising awareness about several pressing matters. The students participating in the Red Cross Club give students the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others.
The Red Cross Club was started at North to provide students with a variety of hands-on medical activities and many service opportunities, allowing a narrow focus in various medical fields. By creating this club, students can participate directly in volunteer work, community service and emergency preparedness, which may also open doors to scholarships and other future opportunities. There is also an International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which North’s club is based. The International Red Cross organization has various activities and programs for all ages for students to participate in.
“We just have one major focus: to help and to donate to the Red Cross,” said sophomore Zoe Arendt, vice president of the Red Cross Club. “We hope that they join and have the idea that they like the idea of doing something medical, doing something regarding volunteer work and service that has a clear purpose.”
The Red Cross Club serves many different purposes. Some of the activities presented within the club are meant to be essential to the organization’s role in emergencies, hopefully enough to make an impact on the community and serve as aid.
“Just like being the first group that reaches the disaster scenes, being the first ones there, that’s just a huge thing,” said Shika Shah, sophomore and president of North’s Red Cross Club.
Red Cross Club meetings consist of informational sessions and hands-on CPR training, allowing members to learn practical skills that can be used in real-life emergencies. Because the club is also heavily focused on fundraising, members plan to organize various projects throughout the year to support the Red Cross and give back to the community.
One major focus will include interactive activities designed to make meetings more engaging. This adds a fun twist to the club and gives members something to look forward to while building a strong sense of community.
“We’re planning to include a lot of games related to emergency preparedness,” said Shah.
The Red Cross Club is committed to providing engaging activities along with valuable experiences for all members. Striving to go beyond the typical expectation of medical-focused clubs, they ensure that meetings are both educational and enjoyable for members. The club is aiming to foster an interest and a deeper understanding of the medical field.
“We hope to make meetings fun for everyone by focusing on activities, not just CPR and emergency scenarios, but also topics like anatomy that can help students think about their future and possible careers,” said Arendt.
Looking ahead, another important goal is to start hosting a blood drive during the summer, emphasizing the importance of young people donating blood since they are often healthy donors and are more likely to continue donating in the future.
Students who are interested in joining North’s Red Cross Club can reach out to Arendt and Shah for more information.
