On Dec. 24-25, 2009, one of America’s best-known families came together to aid Mendota-area families during a time for families.

A holiday ice storm sent Northern LaSalle County residents to an American Red Cross shelter at the Mendota Civic Center, and now under the advent of Spring, the Red Cross will return this weekend.

A Red Cross training session entitled “Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action” is the latest Illinois Valley American Red Cross training session to be scheduled in the area, and one of its main objectives is to couple residents of the Mendota area with the Red Cross and to prepare both parties in the event of another disaster.

According to the American Red Cross Office in Peru, Mendota will play a larger role if or when a natural disaster does strike Northern LaSalle County.

“We learned some important lessons after opening a shelter in Mendota on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—first, that the Mendota Civic Center is a wonderful facility for use as a Red Cross shelter with a very supportive staff, and second, that we are in need of some strong Red Cross volunteers in the Mendota area,” said Sarah Stasik, Executive Director of the Illinois Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. “This is why we are offering the first in what we hope to be a series of classes at the Mendota Civic Center.”

The class will take place Saturday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will offer free disaster training and will introduce local volunteers to the Red Cross’ role in preparing, responding and handling emergencies and disasters.

“The Fulfilling Our Mission course is a great starting point for any new Red Cross volunteer who is thinking about helping out during disasters,” Stasiak said. “Whether those disasters are building collapses, single family fires, floods or tornadoes, we will need volunteers willing to help out at shelters, feed large groups of people and help get Red Cross assistance to families affected by these events.”

Those interested in attending the Red Cross training are asked to go to the organization’s website to start the training process. Introduction to Disaster Services, which can be accessed at www.redcross.org, is a recommended pre-requisite for the Fulfilling Our Mission course.

For more information on the Mendota Red Cross training session, call the IVAMR office in Peru at 815-223-0922.