SPOTLIGHT: Red Cross

Name of organization: The American Red Cross of Central SC

Year established locally: 1917

Top local executive:  Rebecca Jordan, Executive Director

Contact information:  
2751 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-540-1240
Website: www.redcross.org/sc

Corporate giving contacts:
Jerome Nesbitt, Regional Philanthropy Officer
2751 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-767-1308
E-mail: Jerome Nesbitt

Average number of volunteers in 2020: 690

Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: We are proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

Geographic area or specific population served: Central South Carolina including: Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Clarendon, Sumter, Lee, Kershaw, Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Edgefield counties. 

Greatest need  
Financial contributions are needed to invest in our humanitarian services and programs during one of the busiest disaster seasons on record.  We also have an urgent need for new volunteers, blood donations and growing our community partnerships.  

2021 Top achievements:

Despite operating in the COVID-19 environment, in Fiscal Year 2021, the American Red Cross of Central S.C. assisted 1,700-plus individuals affected by disasters — primarily home fires; collected 31,500-plus units of blood for area hospitals; trained 11,500-plus in lifesaving skills such as CPR/AED, and First Aid and nearly 1,000 people in Water Safety and through our global communication network; and provided over 4,700 case services to military, veterans and their families; and served nearly 1,600 military, veterans and families through emergency communications and critical needs. Additionally, we helped create a more resilient community by making 500 homes safer through educational visits and creating preparedness plans. Thanks to the generosity of our compassionate donors, volunteers and community partners, your Red Cross was able to bring relief and comfort to thousands of families across the country after Hurricane Ida, flooding in Tennessee and historic wildfires in California. Dozens of American Red Cross workers — over 90 percent volunteer — have spent months deployed supporting the work of the American Red Cross.  

2022 Goals:

Expand our volunteer base, grow our financial support and increase blood donations.

2022 Corporate Giving Opportunities:

The Red Cross accepts financial donations throughout the year. Anyone interested in donating can call 1-800-REDCROSS or go to www.redcross.org or mail a check to their local chapter. Corporate donors are encouraged to contact Rebecca E. Jordan, Executive Director of the Central S.C. Chapter, at 803-312-5176 or Jerome Nesbitt, Regional Philanthropy Officer, at 803-767-1308.