| Local Red Cross depends on money from locals
The Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross receives no
funds from its national office – its existence depends solely on monies
raised locally. In fact, the Mohawk Valley Chapter is required to
submit $1,800 per month to the National American Red Cross in chapter
assessments fees, just as all Red Cross chapters do.
In short – to continue to provide its many services, it will depend
on the generosity of area residents and organizations. And because many
of the latter remain unaware of the above, the future of our local
chapter is uncertain, especially this year.
Unfortunately, we have experienced a particularly bad period
regarding natural disasters (e.g. the Indian Ocean Tsunami, hurricanes
Katrina, Rita and Wilma). The monetary response of the American people
was predictably large and spontaneous.
Locally, valley residents donated over $55,000 in Katrina relief to
the local Red Cross. Ironically, while the aforementioned generosity
has a positive impact on Red Cross national, it has the reverse effect
on the local.
Example: For every $1,000 received for Katrina relief, less than $100 has been earmarked locally.
Example: People requested to donate locally respond that they’ve already given, but to the National Disaster Relief Fund.
How many times have we bemoaned the loss of a valuable service that
in retrospect we realized we took for granted? The local Red Cross
could become the latest example of the above. Among the services lost
would be the Armed Forces Emergency Services, blood drives, disaster
(local response and deployed over 20 trained individuals to the South),
Health & Safety Lifesaving Training, ombudsman/elderly care, and
youth services. These specific examples of said services reflect the
individuality of the Mohawk Valley Chapter.
• Red Cross training enabled four facility members of West Canada Valley Central to help save a student’s life on May 3, 2004.
• Red Cross personnel helped a local service man to return home to
visit a critically ill grandparent, per her own words in a note to the
chapter, the visit played a significant role in her subsequent recovery.
• Red Cross emergency services were immediately on the scene to
provide material, financial, and emotional support for a retired Ilion
couple victimized by a house fire.
I often sought the advice of my Uncle Bob, a highly decorated Army
Air Corps veteran of WWII and long-time educator. When seeking his
counsel regarding my commitment to volunteerism, he suggested giving
time to the American Red Cross.
“It was there for me during the war, and, if need be, it’ll always
be there for you.” And it will be there for you as well – if it’s
there. To insure that it is, join with Kay and me in making a donation
to the Mohawk Valley Chapter. Your gift is tax-deductible, the money
will be used here, and the vital services that we cannot afford to lose
will be maintained.
Raymond Lenarcic
Herkimer
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