The American Red Cross saves lives. When disaster strikes, we respond with food, shelter and hope. When barriers of distance, language or warfare separate loved ones, we open lines of communication. When families, co-workers and communities must prepare for emergencies, we help them take action. Each year in our community, we bring together nearly 5,000 people to care for their neighbors, train 100,000 people in life-saving skills and respond to a disaster about twice every day. In emergencies large and small - a house fire, an earthquake, a flood - right here in our community or on distant shores, people can count on the Red Cross.