Red Cross needs help (7/25/03)

Red Cross needs a little help from its friends.

The string of weather-related disasters has the Disaster Relief Fund almost tapped out.

Though the Hoosier Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross receives support from the United Way, the current situation calls for an extra boost.

Red Cross officials say the local chapter, which serves Jay, Blackford, Randolph, and Delaware counties, has opened nearly 20 cases this summer to provide assistance to families who need shelter, food, and clothing.

In Indiana this flood season, the Red Cross has opened shelters, served meals, distributed nearly 2,000 clean-up kits, and helped more than 400 families with direct assistance.

“If you think about the Disaster Relief Fund as a tank of gas, we only have about a tenth of a tank left,” a Red Cross statement said earlier this week.

By any standard, that’s dangerously low. Red Cross officials are hoping to raise $35,000 from the Hoosier Heartland region this month toward a state goal of $500,000 to get things back on track.

The organization has been there when we’ve needed it, now it’s time for the community to be there for the Red Cross when it needs a hand. You can help by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or sending a check to the Hoosier Heartland Chapter, P.O. Box 1108, Muncie, Indiana, 47308.

It’s the right thing to do. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]