After a tornado hit Glenville on May 1 and terrorist-piloted planes hit the World Trade Center on Sept.

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

After a tornado hit Glenville on May 1 and terrorist-piloted planes hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, the Freeborn County Chapter of the American Red Cross was flooded with calls from people -&160;especially from young people – who wanted to help.

&uot;People want to do something, but they just don’t know what they can do,&uot; said Ann Pribyl, chapter manager of the Freeborn County Red Cross.

&uot;The reality is, we can’t send them in (to help at the scene of a disaster) unless they’ve had the training,&uot; Pribyl said. &uot;We want to make it possible for those who want to take the next step to do so. The more folks we have trained, the better.&uot;

So the Red Cross has set up a youth meeting for Monday, Oct. 22, for all those in grades 9-12 in any school in Freeborn County. The meeting will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Riverland Community College Skylight Room.

Teens from the Mower County chapter have been invited to share their experiences. Those attending will have the opportunity to learn about disaster training, educational possibilities, CPR classes and Red Cross leadership opportunities.

Young people can assist with everything from blood drives and mass feedings during disasters like tornadoes and fires, to classes for younger kids, such as baby-sitting, and mentoring, the chapter manager said. The Red Cross also has a program known as the Safe School Program.

&uot;There are lots of opportunities,&uot; she added.

Pribyl said the Red Cross has had a local youth chapter in the past, but not in recent years. &uot;We’ll see what the interest is among the group,&uot; she said.

Pribyl said graduation standards require community service from students, as do many churches.

&uot;This is a great way to give back to the community,&uot; she said of the Red Cross.

For more information, call the Red Cross office at 373-4544.