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After United Way bails, Red Cross starts fund-raising campaign here

July 10, 2008|Christina Miller

The Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking contributions to continue helping prevent, prepare for, and recover from emergencies.

The chapter, headquartered in Richmond, provides disaster relief to seven counties including Lincoln.

From 2006 until now, Red Cross volunteers have responded to 37 house fires in Lincoln County and helped 115 displaced family members surmount the physical and emotional turmoil that follows personal disaster, according to a Red Cross news release announcing the call for contributions.

The Red Cross faced a revenue loss when United Way stopped funding it. The Chapter is now dependent on donations from Lincoln County individuals and businesses in order to help the community.

According to Jane Boyd, Community Investments Director at the Heart of Kentucky United Way, "In 2006, (the chapter) applied for 2007 funding. At that time, panel members, the majority of whom were from Lincoln County, established conditions or criteria which needed to be met by Daniel Boone in order for funding to continue. These were not met by the deadline, December 2007, and funding ceased for 2008."

Liz Cook, Resource Development Director at the Heart of Kentucky United Way, said, "We gave Daniel Boone a list of areas for improvement and United Way said, 'We will help you with it.'"

Ms. Boyd added, "(Daniel Boone) just didn't follow through." She also stated the chapter had challenges with their location and geography that they serve.

Director of the Daniel Boone Chapter, Mary Kate Jones, said, "If the clients can't come to us, we'll go to them." She also added if a "spur of the moment" emergency comes up, they contact the American Red Cross in Danville to take care of the case for them. She said, "Our clients can always be served."

Ms. Jones declined to comment on the criteria they were to meet in order to receive funding.

Mrs. Boyd hopes to "re-group" with the Daniel Boone Chapter in the future. They can reapply in 2009 to receive funding for 2010.

For more information about the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross, please contact Lincoln County Board Member, Jeremy Blansett at (606) 669-4870.

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