The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The first office of the American Red Cross in Connecticut was established in 1898. Today, the American Red Cross helps Connecticut residents prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies with services provided by small paid staff and a corps of more than 10,000 volunteers. The Connecticut Chapter responds to an average of more than 500 local disasters each year, providing immediate disaster assistance to Connecticut residents in the form of emotional support, emergency shelter, food, clothing and other household needs. We teach Connecticut residents how to protect themselves or to help others in an emergency through courses in First Aid, CPR and Lifeguarding, as well as Babysitter training and Community Disaster Education programs. We provide emergency communications, counseling and other services to Connecticut military families. And we support the collection of blood at thousands of drives across the state to provide lifesaving blood components and products to hospitals and acute care facilities in Connecticut.