by Karsten Doan, volunteer contributor, American Red Cross North Texas Region

Despite the societal halt that we face during these uncertain times, the mission never stops. We may face obstacles along the way but our goal to educate and help others on disasters, and disaster relief is the same. The Lubbock Chapter did not let the inhibiting hurdle of the COVID-19 environment deter them from educating students. In partnership with Lubbock ISD, the American Red Cross was able to educate students grades 3-5 at Ramirez Elementary and Miller Elementary with a virtual disaster preparedness workshop.

On April 15th and 17th this week, the American Red Cross launched a virtual educational mission to teach students lifesaving skills that will help themselves and their families in case of an emergency disaster. Students were taught fire safety and home-fire escape plans, as well as how to react if a home-fire were to occur in their own homes. Students also drew individual maps of their homes with a full exit strategy and plan to keep themselves and their families safe and away from danger. Pillowcases were distributed to students so they could each have their own personalized mark on how they would react in case of an emergency disaster.

The virtual workshop allowed for students and instructors to work together while educating students on important, possible life-saving information in situations such as home-fires, tornados and floods. The resiliency of the American Red Cross to continue to deliver the mission amid the COVID-19 pandemic is vital to the ultimate goal of saving lives. Hurdles will always present themselves and it is important to find creative ways to solve problems in order to continue the life-saving mission.

To learn more about the American Red Cross Pillowcase Project, visit: http://www.redcross.org/pillowcase