DAT

   Yesterday afternoon I attended a class/ training session at ARC (American Red Cross) headquarters.  ARC has many programs.  All of them are beneficial to people and all of them are free.  Blood products are the only items that ARC sells.  Everything else, assistance, counseling, blankets, etc. are all free.  So the American Red Cross depends on donations.  Nationwide 92 cents of every dollar goes toward services.  In the Pacific Northwest it's more like 95-96 cents.  It's pretty amazing and it's because of dedicated volunteers and employees who are careful with resources.
    The class yesterday was DAT (Disaster Action Team).  The DAT team goes out to homes that have had a fire or flood that has left the family with out a home.  A call comes in from the fire department and the team responds.  They meet with the family, counsel them,and determine their immediate needs.  They may need a bed for the night.  They may need food. The team can help them get through this horrible period with the resources available to ARC.  It sounds like a great and wonderful program.  I will tell you about it when I go out on one of these calls.