An exclusive Interview with Amber Youngblood, Senior Director of Communications, American Red Cross Kentucky Region, in conjunction with the Louisville American Red Cross “Wrapped in Red Gala” this Saturday
by Gioia Patton/Arts Insider
Arts Insider: When we initially met years ago you were the marketing director for the Broadway in Louisville series. Take me from there to ARC, which you joined in March of 2006. Was it anywhere on your radar post Broadway Series?
Amber Youngblood, Senior Director of Communications, American Red Cross Kentucky Region: I loved working with the Broadway in Louisville team, and it helped me grow professionally in regards to project management, creative environment, and working with local and national teams. I began working with the Red Cross communication director during my time with BIL on fun promotions to help them with their community blood drives and getting to know their team peaked my interested in learning more about the Red Cross and what a positive impact they have in so many areas such as with its Service to Armed Forces and their disaster preparedness programs and relief efforts.
Arts Insider: History of the founding of the American Red Cross, and why/where was it created?
Youngblood: Since its founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. We received our first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day we provide services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.
Arts Insider: How far reaching does the Louisville branch go with its services?
Youngblood: The Louisville Area Red Cross is considered the region headquarters for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region. We provide services throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Arts Insider: How many Kentucky branches are there?
Youngblood: There are five Red Cross chapters across Kentucky: Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Hazard and Owensboro.
Arts Insider: How quickly upon notice of a catastrophe does ARC spring into action?
Youngblood: With weather related disasters, our disaster team is “behind the scenes” monitoring a potential threat in advance of something happening, working to get people and resources on standby, communicating with local officials, emergency management and community partners to be ready to respond as quickly as possible, as long as it is safe to do so.
Arts Insider: Is the ARC on call 24-hours a day, a staff on call 24/7, and an ARC hotline to call in each state?
Youngblood: The Red Cross operates 24/7, 365 days a year. We rely on volunteers to help us support our mission delivery, such as disaster action team members who respond to house fires on any given day and time. The Red Cross hotline is universal for all American Red Cross areas, 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If someone needs assistance, this number will route them to their local Red Cross for assistance.
Arts Insider: What type of transportation is always at your disposal to deliver supplies to hard hit communities?
Youngblood: The Red Cross Kentucky Region has emergency response vehicles and trailers throughout the state for our supplies such as cots, blankets, cases of water, clean up kits, etc. We also work with other Red Cross regions should there be an additional need and we can call upon community partners who have additional transportation options.
Arts Insider: What are the misconceptions (if any) to what happens to donated money and supplies?
Youngblood: We know people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster. Our first priority at the Red Cross is to provide shelter and support to those affected — and financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most. For example, donations of clothing and household items may not be the need for some—financial donations can be used right away based on specific needs for individuals and families, such as replacing lost items like prescription medications, reading glasses or providing diapers or baby formula. When possible, the Red Cross partners with organizations that manage donations of goods as part of their primary mission.
Arts Insider: Examples of where $ goes and *how donated supplies are distributed to a community which has been completely destroyed?
Youngblood: On average 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in humanitarian services and programs and delivering care and comfort to those in need. The remaining 10 cents helps keep the entire Red Cross running by supporting routine, but indispensable, day-to-day business operations.
A monetary donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief helps provide food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, financial assistance and other aid, as well as supporting the vehicles, warehouses and people that make this help possible. Every eight minutes, the Red Cross helps someone affected by a disaster. Your financial contribution to Red Cross Disaster Relief allows us to deliver critical help to people who need it — anytime, anywhere, for disasters big and small. We rely on our emergency response vehicles, volunteers and community partners to get resources to communities and individuals who have been impacted. Working with community partners throughout the year enables us to see where places for sheltering or storing resources could be available in an impacted community or as close to an area that has been devastated by a disaster.
Arts Insider: What is the purpose of Wrapped in Red Gala? When was it founded? And is there one with the same theme in other cities?
Youngblood: The Wrapped in Red Gala will be celebrating its 15th year, having started in 2011. Wrapped in Red is unique to the Red Cross Kentucky Region, which takes place in Louisville and is the largest fundraising event. The origination of the gala was to have a “party for a purpose”, showcasing mission moments of the work we do, our volunteers who help us deliver the mission of help and hope. The funds raised support our many activities such as assisting families who have been impacted by home fires to larger scale disasters such as the western Kentucky tornados in 2021, and providing services to military members and their families. In addition, it helps provide resources for our preparedness efforts such as youth based programs and our Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which provides free smoke alarms and fire safety education.
Arts Insider: How do you juggle residing in Madison, In. with having a full-time Louisville-based career?
Youngblood: Overall, the commute is not long and with technology today, many things can be accomplished in a virtual environment. While the headquarters is in Louisville, it is not uncommon for me to be anywhere in the state or in southern Indiana on any given day, especially in times of disaster or with events that take place throughout the year.
WHAT: Wrapped in Red Gala
WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 6:00PM-11:00PM
WHERE: Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W Jefferson St
TICKETS: redcross.org/wrappedinredgala. Individual tickets, tables and limited sponsorship opportunities are available.
