|
Shanghai, China
The
American Red Cross of Mower County established a sister chapter
relationship with Shanghai in 1981. The relationship was
initiated by local Red Cross volunteer Blanche Narodick during
a visit to China in 1979 and became the first American Red Cross
partnership established with the China Red Cross Society. The
purpose of the program was to develop friendship and
understanding of respective cultures and to learn from each
other. A Seattle delegation of Red Cross paid and volunteer
staff has visited China five times, and vice versa for the
Shanghai Red Cross Society. The King & Kitsap Counties chapter has donated
supplies such as ambulance backboards, CPR mannequins and
manuals to Shanghai. The Seattle office also hosted a Shanghai Red Cross
Society intern, who worked at our chapter from September through
December 1994.
Chongqing,
China
The
head of the Chongqing Branch of the China Red Cross Society and
his staff visited Seattle in March 2001 as part of a Seattle-Chongqing
Sister City Association tour. Our chapter presented information
about our operations, especially fundraising, First Aid
training, and disaster planning, and held a reception for the
visitors. While Chongqing expressed interest in a partnering
relationship, this is not feasible due to our existing agreement
with Shanghai. We left the doors open to a continuing
relationship with Chongqing, most likely based on the exchange
of information.
Kobe,
Japan
A
7.2 earthquake rocked Kobe City, Japan on January 16, 1995. The
King & Kitsap Counties response began soon after. Our
chapter participated in Mayor Norm Rice's task force for Kobe
relief. Several fundraisers were organized, including a pledge
drive with a local radio station. Donations were tracked and
sent to the Japanese Red Cross. International social services
coordinated many disaster welfare inquiries about relatives and
military personnel living in Japan.
Japanese
Initiative
The
American Red Cross of Mower County had a program with the local
Japanese and Japanese-American community that won a national
award in 1995. The program included assistance during the Kobe
earthquake, a relationship with the Kobe-Sister City
Association, a paired relationship with the Japanese Red Cross
Society Hyogo Branch, and First Aid/CPR classes in Japanese.
|
