By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
Who would you call today if your home had burned last night? If a tornado had ripped through your neighborhood and demolished your home, whom could you call? The answer to both questions is the East Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross.
With Rogene Martin at the helm, the Red Cross office in Brewton last year answered family fire calls that resulted in aid to 65 people in 22 families.
The Red Cross response to those immediate needs is made possible through a generous donation from the United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton.
The contributions from United Fund allow the local Red Cross to provide relief services during natural and other disasters as well as safety training and community classes. Project Share benefits from the donations as well as several other projects of the unit.
Martin said that when she started at the local chapter of Red Cross office about 10 years ago, the annual budget was around $29,000. The current budget is at $68,000 per year.
The contribution from United Fund also helps to pay for informational brochures produced by the chapter to allow citizens to gain information on all of the services offered by the chapter.
With help from United Fund and other private donations, the East Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross has assisted 135 families with Project Share; served 815 people from the emergency food pantry, supplied fans to 50 families; heaters to 12 families; blankets to 23 people; and trained 916 individuals in health and safety classes. There have been more than 2200 contacts in the offices with clothing vouchers presented to those in need.
In an informational release from the American Red Cross organization it is noted that for more than 120 years, employees and volunteers have followed the example set by Clara Barton in her tireless efforts to assist people overwhelmed by the needs created by disasters.
During those years, written guidance to Red Cross employees and volunteers has taken a number of different forms.
The current guidance is designed to provide the user with information needed to offer Red Cross services in accordance with the needs of the people and communities affected by disaster, the wishes of Red Cross donors and the policies of the organization.
Mission Statement: the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its congressional charter and the fundamental principals of the International Red Cross movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.