The mission of the American Red Cross is to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to life's emergencies. The Louisiana Capital Area Chapter is one of many chapters across the country helping local people in need. Your Red Cross chapter serves the 10-parish area of Ascension, East & West Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena and St. James.

We serve the immediate emergency needs of people affected by natural and man-made disasters. Whether it's food, clothing or shelter, the Red Cross is there to help by providing financial assistance on a case-by-case basis. Many disaster victims need assistance for medications or mental health services. Nurses and counselors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide these needs. Disaster Action Team members are volunteers--people like you--who respond to the call day or night to help local people affected by disasters.

The most-common disaster is the single-family home fire. Fires affect local people each and every day. The Red Cross DAT members are on the scene to assess the situation and provide the needed emergency needs until other agencies can assist with long-term services and needs.

All disaster assistance is free, made possible by contributions of time and money from the American people. The American Red Cross is chartered by Congress to provide assistance to disaster victims, but we do not receive government funding to do this. We rely heavily on you.

With a paid staff of only 17 people, the American Red Cross could not survive without its many dedicated volunteers. To learn how you can get involved, check out our Volunteer section of this site.

The American Red Cross relies on your financial support to help disaster victims. We cannot accept used goods. Small quantities of goods must be cleaned, sorted, stored and transported, which takes money and manpower away from the relief efforts. A cash donation allows the organization to meet the unique needs of each client and may provide them with the means to purchase the items they need most. Cash donations also allow the Red Cross and our clients to purchase items locally, stimulating the economy of the disaster-affected area. We do work with area agencies who accept used goods.

The Louisiana Capital Area Chapter is a Capital Area United Way Member Agency. We thank you for your support.

Click here for a printable version of our information brochure.