The American Red Cross Northland Chapter joins UW-Superior bi-annually for Red Cross Day. From learning CPR, to enacting a refugee’s path, to honoring veterans, this day educates Superior on giving back.

“We are one of the largest letter collectors in the region” says Amy Leopold, a volunteer for the Northland Red Cross. Over 10,000 letters are distributed each year to military units and veterans. This year, the focus was to reduce social isolation in assisted living and care settings by writing messages.

Students also got the opportunity to learn hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a rescue intervention to maintain blood flow to the brain and viral organs of a person in cardiac arrest. Basically, hands-only CPR, a variant of CPR without rescue breaths, is easy to learn and remember.

Finally, the YU Atrium hosted a refugee exhibit. Literature and stations allowed a simulation for students to learn first-hand what it is like to be a refugee. Political Science 100, or Political Science: Borders and Immigration (POLS) students were guides through each activity. Ava Arrigo, a POLS student, said “it kind of puts you in their shoes… at each desk we have some dice, and you roll them, and it lists what happens to you in this country.” Red Cross Day occurred on March 25.

A station with Austrian Red Cross items, including apparel, a bag, and even chocolate. Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.
A station in the YU great room in which participants have to avoid landmines. Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.
A sign between stations in the YU great room representing United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.
Notes written for veterans by UWS students in the Yellowjacket Union. A sign between Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.
An infographic by the International Committee of the Red Cross about Yemen. Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.
An example of one-day refugee food ration. Photo by Elle Evenson on March 25.