Become a member of
the Turks & Caicos Red Cross Click here
Our Offices:
Providenciales Office and Thrift Shop.
Located upstairs at Southwinds Plaza (by BERNIES RESTAURANT).
Come see our huge selection of new and donation items arriving daily.
Thrift Shop Open MONDAY - WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 1pm - 4pm
Office Open Tues, Wed, Thur 1pm - 5pm
Telephone 649-941-8056 or email us
Grand Turk Office and Thrift Shop
Located in the Dominion House on the old Airport Road, Grand Turk .
Donations of 2nd hand books, good quality used or unused clothing,
washed and pressed etc. may be handed into the office at these times:
Open Monday 9:30-12:30 pm;
Wednesday & Friday - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm;
Saturday - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Telephone 649-946-2761 or email us
WHAT RED CROSS STANDS FOR:
The symmetrical Red Cross, stark against a white background, and its
counterpart, the Red Crescent, are perhaps the most recognized symbols
in the world. Ask any school child what it means and you will receive a
variety of answers, all of which really boil down to volunteer help in times
of suffering.
But what do you really know about this humanitarian organization? Today,
the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement forms the largest voluntary
organization in the world, with more than 97 million volunteers in 178
countries. Its purpose is basic: to help those who suffer, without
discrimination.
(The Turks and Caicos Branch of the British Red Cross Society, was
formed in 1961. The British Red Cross was founded in 1870.)
It sounds simple, but the nations of the world form a complex society of
diverse races, religions and politics and ideologies. In order to provide aid to
all, the Movement is based on seven fundamental principals which guide all
Red Cross volunteers, everywhere.
We can thank a Swiss businessmen, Henri Dunant, for germinating the
seed which has grown into the respected tree we know as the Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement. He was appalled by the suffering of
thousands of men on both sides of a battle waged in 1859 and proposed
the setting up of national societies of volunteers to provide help to relieve
suffering in times of war.
A committee was set up in Geneva in 1863, in response to his idea and
the founding charter of the Red Cross was adopted.
Dunant's proposal to aid anyone in times of war, has blossomed to
encompass the provision of relief for people in need and crisis, from
suffering caused by armed conflict, natural disaster or personal emergency
around the world.
Those seven fundamentals I mentioned earlier? They are all found in the
above paragraphs but allow me to spell them out in a little greater detail.
They are worthy of elaboration, especially in this day and age of conflict
and greed.
The first is Humanity - the Red Cross combats human suffering in
all its forms and demands humane treatment of all individuals in all
circumstances.
The second tenet is Impartiality. By impartial we mean that Red Cross
volunteers do not practice any form of discrimination and offer objective
assistance in proportion to need.
The third and fourth fundamentals go hand in hand: Neutrality and
Independence. Red Cross Societies and their volunteers do not take sides
in racial, political, religious or ideological controversies. They care for
people of all faiths and of none. And although they may work hand in hand
with the government of their countries, the National Societies are
completely autonomous and independent of those governments. Of course,
they are subject to the laws of their lands.
The remaining three guiding lights of the Red Cross are Universality, Unity
and Voluntary Service. They enable the Societies to work effectively all over
the world. It's universality extends from the common values held by its
members. By recognizing a duty to help one another, they promote
friendship and peace internationally. The generous spirit of voluntary service
and fellowship within the Movement sets an example of harmony which can
help promote healing of the bitterness of conflicts.
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Links
Welcome to the Turks & Caicos Islands Red Cross
in the British West Indies
(An Overseas Branch of the British Red Cross)
