If you would like a copy of our Consolidated Financial Statements for FY09, please call 864-271-8222 or email UpstateHDQ@usa.redcross.org

About Red Cross

For over a century, the American Red Cross has worked to improve the quality of life, to enhance self-reliance and concern for others, and to help people prevent, prepare for, and cope with emergencies. Founded in 1917, the Upstate South Carolina Chapter touches thousands of lives every year. In all we do, our mission remains to help prevent and relieve human suffering.

Our Mission

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement.

Our Vision

The Red Cross is a leader in time of need...empowering people to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies in our community and throughout the world. Always there...touching more lives, in new ways under the same trusted symbol.

People rely on the American Red Cross to respond immediately and effectively wherever help is needed. The Red Cross responds to disasters by opening shelters, preparing and serving meals and snacks and mobilizing trained disaster relief workers to provide these and other services without delay. Red Cross also provides affected families with vouchers for food, clothing, prescription medications and other disaster caused needs.

The financial benefits of gifts to the Red Cross depend on your situation, but the opportunity to make a difference is always great. Your contribution is needed because all assistance provided by the Red Cross is free, made possible through the generous donations of the American people.

Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement

• HUMANITY -- The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
• IMPARTIALITY -- It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
• NEUTRALITY -- In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
• INDEPENDENCE -- The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.
• VOLUNTARY SERVICE -- It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
• UNITY -- There can be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
• UNIVERSALITY -- The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Upstate SC American Red Cross Blogs

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