Q: What is Red Cross Month?

A: Red Cross Month provides an opportunity to educate citizens and their communities about services provided by the Red Cross to the public. The Red Cross isn’t a government agency. It’s an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is defined by congressional charter to help fulfill the United States’ treaty obligations under the Geneva Convention, help maintain a system of domestic and international disaster relief and serve as a medium of communication between military members and their families. More than 500,000 volunteers supplement the Red Cross’ 30,000 employees to fulfill the mission of the Red Cross through donations of time, money and blood. To find ways to volunteer to help support the Red Cross mission, visit www.redcross.org, or call your local Red Cross chapter. 

Q: How does the Red Cross help Iowans?

A: For more than 125 years, the Red Cross has worked to provide services in five major areas:  Helping disaster victims; teaching lifesaving skills; collecting, testing and supplying blood across America; connecting the armed forces with their families; and partnering in international services. As Iowans know all too well after the 2008 floods, the Red Cross is a face of compassion when people face catastrophe. The Red Cross works with those affected by a disaster to  help make sure they have a place to stay, food, emotional support, resources and referrals to aid in recovery. Proper preparation for a disaster is important to saving lives. According to the American Red Cross, more than 15 million people each year gain lifesaving skills and preparedness information such as first aid, CPR and training on the use of defibrillators through local Red Cross chapters. Those life-saving skills help make Iowa safer by turning friends and neighbors into helpful first responders during a disaster, whether the emergency be a tornado, flood or fire. The American Red Cross is also one of the largest blood suppliers in the United States with more than 4 million donors. The blood supply provided by the Red Cross can be the difference between life and death to a disaster victim. The American Red Cross also works with active-duty military members, National Guard and Reserve members, and veterans and their families to provide training and support for the special needs created by long separations due to military service, including emergency communication services, support for the sick and wounded at military and VA hospitals, and emergency financial support. 

Q: How can Iowans be sure the Red Cross is using their donations properly?

A: The Red Cross often has been the standard bearer for philanthropic organizations.  According to the Red Cross, 91 percent of all donations are invested in humanitarian services and programs.  One of my Constitutional duties, first as Chairman and now as Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, is to conduct oversight of tax-exempt organizations to make sure donations are being used for the purposes for which they were intended.  In the wake of 9/11, donors opened their hearts and wallets to help.  Reports surfaced that the American Red Cross was not using all the donations to help victims as donors expected.  In asking questions, I found core problems in the Red Cross’s organizational structure and confusion about its fundraising practices.  As a result, I championed legislation that restructured the American Red Cross and requested changes that were made to its fundraising language.  The current Red Cross president, Gail McGovern, said last November that, “the American Red Cross is a stronger organization today because of governance reforms put in place, thanks to Sen. Grassley’s leadership.”  It was nice to see the Red Cross in action during the 2008 floods to help hardworking Iowans in their time of need.  I’ll continue to conduct proper oversight to  help make sure the Red Cross stays on track and continues to practice good governance, fiscal integrity and effective performance.  By exceeding the highest standards of good governance, the Red Cross will help neighbors help neighbors in need for generations to come.