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On Friday, October 23, the Red Cross held a public information session for its members, supporters, and prospective volunteers. It was an opportunity for the organization to state loud and clear that its work on the island goes far beyond its famous charity shop, and to present ambitious projects for the coming months and years. But to make these projects a reality, one thing remains essential: the support of new active members.
Before an attentive audience, the president of the local chapter, Éric Djamakorzian, took stock of the organization’s progress and laid out the roadmap for its future. With 25 actively engaged members and 49 supporters today, the organization intends to take the next step. Thanks to an in-depth regional assessment, the Red Cross has identified priority local needs to build its action plan around three fundamental pillars: prevention and education, protection, and recovery. Behind the postcard image of a privileged island, the reality on the ground underscores the absolute necessity of these community-based efforts. As Éric Djamakorzian emphasized during the discussions: “We are practically the only social actors on the island.”
A charity shop—but not just that
While many residents associate the Red Cross solely with its secondhand shop, the reality on the ground is infinitely broader. Admittedly, the historic site is getting a facelift: the expansion work, supported by the Territorial Collectivity, is nearing completion. The reopening is expected by the end of November. This expansion will notably include a room dedicated to hygiene for beneficiaries. Volunteers will be needed as early as late October to coordinate the setup and installation.
But the Red Cross’s commitment is evident on many other fronts. In middle school, the “Red Cross Option” program pairs volunteers to address key topics such as the history of nonprofit organizations and the fight against cyberbullying. Throughout the school year, the organization also offers free tutoring to support children whose families cannot afford the services of a private tutor.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Among the flagship projects is the complete takeover of outreach patrols. Previously organized by the Saint-Martin unit and involving complex logistics involving round-trip boat journeys, these outreach tours—designed to reach the most vulnerable—will now be managed directly by local teams. This is a large-scale project that requires the recruitment of at least 10 to 12 additional active volunteers. For safety reasons, each vehicle outing must involve at least three people, starting with a frequency of once every two months.
Another major goal of the association is the creation of first-aid teams to provide medical coverage for events on the island, similar to practices in mainland France. This is a key area of development targeted for 2027, which will require an in-depth training phase for volunteers.
To make these advances a reality, the membership drive has just been officially launched. True to its seven founding principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality), the association advocates for a flexible commitment. “Here, everyone does what they can and how they want. It’s a bit like Club Med: everything is offered, nothing is imposed,” jokes Éric Djamakorzian. This mindset is attracting new kinds of people, such as Angela, a prospective member. Accustomed to volunteering on her own, she has decided this time to “take the plunge” and join the outreach team.
For others, the experience is already proving to be particularly rewarding. This is the case for Patricia, a volunteer for the past year and an activity coordinator at a nursing home, who comes to sing for the seniors every Friday. Speaking before the audience, she spoke emotionally about the moments she’s shared with a resident living with Alzheimer’s disease: “When I sing songs by Véronique Sanson, her favorite singer, she sings along too. In that precise moment, I can see in her eyes that she’s truly there, with me. ” A ray of light in the face of the disease that she describes as “extremely rewarding,” and which inspires her to do even more in the years to come.
The evening concluded warmly with a toast, sealing the promise of a Red Cross more committed than ever to serving its community.
