This week the heat was on, but already Island County Red Cross Chapter Executive Director Barbara Johnson realizes the weather will soon turn.

“We’re only 10 weeks to flood season,” she said. “And while it’s not too much of a problem here on Whidbey, the Red Cross will be in demand and we have to be ready.”

Being ready is all in a day’s work for the Island County Chapter and hundreds of others across the nation that support the American Red Cross mission of helping prepare communities for emergencies and keeping people safe every day.

The Island County chapter of the American Red Cross chartered April 1, 1991. The chapter is currently entering its next fiscal year with a projected budget of just over $310,000 for its full slate of educational programs, disaster response efforts, everyday operation and more.

Johnson has been with Island county Red Cross for more than 26 years. She began as a volunteer and worked her way up through the chapter as responsibilities and opportunities arose.

“We can always use more volunteers,” said Johnson of the constant recruiting efforts. “People should come into the chapter, talk to us about what our needs are and how they can best utilize their skills.”

The chapter’s board is always seeking more bodies to keep the gears of the local Red Cross moving.

“It doesn’t take a big commitment of time,” she said. “One meeting a month and more if you join a committee.”

While the Pirate Charity Fundraiser Saturday will be all about pirates and having fun, the Red Cross will be sure to fly their own flag. The chapter will have an area where people can stop by and get info about how the Red Cross can help them and classes offered on Whidbey. There will be Red Cross balloons and other distinctively red and white paraphernalia.

As the invitation always stands at the chapter office, Johnson said people are invited to stop by the booth at the fundraiser and get to know what the Red Cross is all about.

Since 1905 the American Red Cross has acted as a communication link between the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Locally, the chapter assists in notifying families in the case of emergencies and provides predeployment briefings.

The chapter has a disaster action team that responds to emergencies when requested, such as the recent house fires on North Whidbey.

Johnson said she’s proud that the chapter has been able to grow the health and safety class offerings. The chapter offers a steady schedule of classes on HIV/AIDS; adult, children’s and infants CPR and First Aid; babysitting and swim safety through the local pools. Wilderness First Aid is a new addition, and other classes such as Pet CPR are being considered as additions

In addition, Johnson and the chapter works long and hard on community disaster education and organizes emergency shelters in random instances such as when there was a bomb threat in Coupeville last year.

Johnson said popular belief is that the Island County Chapter gets a steady stream of funds from the national organization, but Johnson said it’s far from the truth.

“Funding is always our biggest need,” Johnson said.

Every little donation makes a difference. If someone donates as little as $20, Johnson said, pamphlets and materials can be purchased that wouldn’t have been available otherwise.

“We rely on fund-raisers to sustain our programs and operations,” she said.

In order to do this, the chapter frequents festivals to get their name and presence out in the community and sends direct mailers out to prospective donors. Johnson strives to make as many presentations as she can on everything from disaster preparedness to other educational angles — with no venue too small.

“After one 20-minute presentation everyone becomes me,” she said. “I always tell people once they hear me they now have the education to take back and share with your families.”

It’s all about spreading the gospel that is the American Red Cross mission.

“You never know when you’ll need to be prepared,” Johnson said.