Thunder Bay Red Cross Move to Central Location
by Scott A. Sumner
Thunder Bay Business
“ This is a very happy day and we have been waiting for this for a long time. It will really help us provide our services and make them bigger. We are also expanding our staff, the number of programs we offer as well as volunteers,” stated Sharon Bak, Branch President of
the Thunder Bay and District of Canadian Red Cross on their move from Harold Street to 1145 Barton Street. “ Storage was also an issue so this will allow us be bigger, better and more workable. We have 5 staff full time and a few hundred volunteers.”
The Thunder Bay Red Cross has several key services they offer to Northwestern Ontario. They have disaster management services on both a small scale and large scale. During last year’s evacuation of Fort Albany the Red Cross provided shelter management to over 400 people. There is the senior transportation program which is low cost transportation service to doctors appointments, shopping etc. The Red Cross also loans out walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and canes for a short term period to help those in need. Thereis injury prevention as well including water safety, baby sitting and CPR courses.
“ We are very excited to be here. I’m hoping the public will know us better and we will be more visible so they will see us and come in and find out more about us. Volunteers are always needed,” smiled Bak. “ We were at our old location for over 45 years and now are at 1145 Barton Street. Red Cross has been in Thunder Bay for over 100 years.”
“ It’s wonderful to have our new location. We have been working towards this for at least 10 years and the new location will service the community better. We will be able to expand services. People will know where we are better than the previous location, “ noted Eric
Adriaans, District Branch Manager for Red Cross in Thunder Bay. “ We now have lots of parking, are on a bus route and there is the elimination of stairs so our equipment loan program works better. A larger location means we can diversify in new ways. We hope to attract more youth and senior volunteers.”
During the official opening of the Red Cross new location many displays of their services were on display. “ The cot you see here is an example of a cot we would use in a disaster response. For example if a fire or flood caused a community to be evacuated we have a supply of these we can provide as well as disaster kits people can use,” stated Adriaans. “We have our injury prevention which includes first aid, water safety, boating safety and in general preparedness in how to protect yourself from injuries. Red Cross always feels that first you
have to protect yourself before you can protect some else.”
The Thunder Bay Red Cross has their personal disaster assistance program. If your house burns down they are there to help the family for 72 hours to get back on their feet and recover. There is also the student nursing program for kids in school. “ It is a a big set of programs. There is our international programs looking at Geneva conventions disasters in other countries. We responded to Hurricane Katrina and deployed a volunteer from here to help.” smiled Adriaans.
