Saving Lives and Communities

Kudos to SIU custodian Gary Lannom of Marion for his quick thinking in saving the life of SIU Student Pen Congyue’s toddler son two weeks ago. The story just appeared in the Daily Egyptian today. Would that we had more everyday heroes in the region.

While Lannom received his first aid training from Marion Memorial Hospital, many others receive theirs from local Red Cross instructors.

In addition to citizens like Lannom who receive first aid training on the job, there are many paid and volunteer Certified First Responders working within local police, fire and ambulance services. You don’t have to be a First Responder to save lives. There is a small army of Red Cross volunteers in Southern Illinois that respond to disasters locally and throughout the nation. Their community volunteerism is part of the Ultimate Answer to serving humanity’s needs.

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

The local Little Egypt Network Chapter of the Red Cross provides an ongoing series of classes on becoming a volunteer disaster aid workers. For more information, contact arclittleegypt@clearwave.com or call 618-988-1147.