What do you think of when you hear the words “Red Cross?” Many of us envision people donating blood and learning water safety, or we remember media coverage of the Red Cross racing in to help during a catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina or 9-11. While the Red Cross most certainly does collect and deliver blood for those who need it and does specialize in crisis intervention during disasters anywhere in the world, the Red Cross also provides a myriad of other services on a day to day basis that many of us know nothing about.

As I began to talk with Nicole Valentine, Director of Emergency Services and Public Affairs for the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, I was immediately impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and sense of purpose she brings to her work. She refers to herself as an “ambassador” for the Red Cross. Valentine proudly explains that the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Red Cross is one of the most highly performing chapters in the United States. In fact, they have dealt with 90 critical incidents in Central and North Central Massachusetts since last July, which includes 153 families who have been left homeless by fire or other disaster. These incidents alone have displaced 558 individuals, 191 of whom are children.

The Red Cross is directed by the federal government to provide emergency services in crisis situations, yet they receive no federal funding to carry out that mandate. This is why the organization relies on contributions and volunteers to accomplish its vital work. CEO Lisa Piehler is fond of saying “We don’t ask for much. Just your time, your money or your blood.”

While it is terrific to have volunteers show up at their door when there is a known catastrophe, Valentine explains that what they are really striving for is to get volunteers during non-critical times so the Red Cross can train them to be ready immediately when a disaster occurs. She says of her current volunteers, “These are every day people doing extraordinary things for the community.”

Our local Red Cross chapter has 150 trained disaster volunteers on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to crises here and across the country .

Nancy Nogueira heads the blood services program for this chapter, which extends geographically from Worcester west all the way to the New York border. Both Nogueira and Valentine note that the sense of pride and accomplishment that is felt by those who participate in the Red Cross’ programs, from donating blood to becoming trained to help the community in a crisis, is truly out of the ordinary.

Even so, more volunteers are needed: Only 5 percent of the healthy general population donates blood, the women said, and they are always in need of more money and more volunteers.

One outstanding example of the volunteers devotion to the work of the Red Cross is the Armed Forces Emergency Services Program, which provides numerous assists to members of the military and their families. The Red Cross facilitates emergency/crisis communication when there is a death in the family of a service member, a serious illness at home, or on the best days, Red Cross volunteers have the privilege of getting the news to a soldier about the birth of a baby.

The Red Cross contacts relatives as soon as the military has notified a family of the death of a soldier they love. The Red Cross provides bereavement services, financial assistance and grief-related transportation as needed for the family. The Springfield communications center is open 24 hours a day for this purpose. The organization also involves many young people in their mission, including the Boy and Girl Scouts, some of whom conduct service projects creating “comfort kits” for our soldiers serving overseas. The 600 kits made yearly are delivered by the American Red Cross.

Although we often think of the Red Cross as only a volunteer organization, its health and safety services program actually trains individuals for jobs in the medical field. They offer courses for those who want to work in the healthcare industry — such as phlebotomists and EKG techs — in addition to a Nurse Assistant Training Program. The Central Massachusetts Red Cross has a 98 percent job placement rate for their trainees and they certify up to 600 nurse assistants yearly.

Valentine notes that many immigrants take part in Red Cross medical training because they want can gain meaningful employment and use their expertise for the good of the community.

To learn more about volunteering your time and energy, call 508-595-3730 or e-mail Cliffordch@usa.redcross.org For blood donation, call 1-800- GIVELIFE or visit www.newenglandblood.org. The American Red Cross Donor Center in Worcester is at Five Biotech; 381 Plantation Street. They are open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make a financial contribution or to learn more about the Red Cross, visit www.redcrossworcester.org.