Disasters occur around the world everyday and one of the first responders is the American Red Cross. They provide disaster relief, health and safety services, and support America’s military families. To help raise funds and support this organization, freshmen Toluwani Taiwo and Meredith Elhmann have created a school club that meets once a week (the club doesn’t have a set meeting day) in room E211.

“I decided to create the club because I love helping people and I wanted to know the needs of the people in the community,” club co-president Toluwani Taiwo said. “People have the opportunity to help out in their community and become more informed about the diseases facing the residents in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.”

Students joined the club because of volunteer opportunities while also being able to help the community in a more prominent way.

“This will affect Lovejoy and the community as a whole because we promote safety and how to help others in need,” club vice president Emma Overholt said. “I joined the club because I think it is a great way to educate high schoolers about the Red Cross, disaster relief, and donating blood. Other benefits include lifeguard training, blood drives, and learning how to save lives. I feel it is very important to know how to act quickly in dangerous situations, and lastly, it is a great way to get to know others who are interested in health and safety as well.”

The lessons they are learning now may pay dividends in the future.

“I want to be a meteorologist in the future,” club publicist Ariel Jacobs said. “So the Red Cross Club will help me with learning about disaster preparedness so that when I am a meteorologist, I can help save more lives.”

As part of that, members of the club are planning to get CPR certified and to learn lifesaving skills.

“The benefits of the club is that it is a life saving organization that makes you feel good when you do something for others,” club secretary Mikey Franks said. “In the future I will have the mindset to help whoever I need to and will also be CPR certified.”

For more information contact Toluwani Taiwo and Meredith Elhmann: [email protected].