American Red Cross

Susan Shower, disaster coordinator for the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross in Richmond, said the chapter has taken an administrative action called disassociation to relieve itself of financially supporting operations in Lincoln County. The chapter will continue to support disaster victims in Lincoln, but, Shower said, "You are now a service-delivery area, which means the national chapter will pick up the costs of disasters. " He said the Red Cross defines disasters as fires, floods, tornadoes and earthquakes.

After an F-2 tornado destroyed everything they owned last month, several families are getting financial to help get them into a new home. Gary King, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church and head of the Lincoln County Baptist Association Disaster Relief program, said several families have already been helped get new homes, as well as help to buy furniture, food and clothing - thanks to the generous donations that came in after the tornado came through...

LANCASTER - In lieu of a monetary donation, Lancaster City Council is giving office space in City Hall to the Red Cross. At a July 7 meeting, Jeremy Blansett, representing the American Red Cross, approached the council about finding some wiggle room in its budget for a donation. Blansett explained the organization aids victims of disaster and was in dire need of financial assistance. He cited the increasing cost of living as reason for the organization's troubled fiscal situation, adding the Red Cross helped victims of nine structure fires in Garrard County last year.

The central Kentucky chapter of the American Red Cross in cooperation with the Danville Walmart store is sponsoring a Gift from Home for GI Jo(e), which will send a care package of goodies to Boyle and Mercer county service personnel stationed abroad. The list of goodies was supplied by local National Guard personnel. Walmart will display a sample package that will sell for $20. Anyone wishing to purchase a package to be sent to the service personnel will take a card from the display and pay for that package at checkout.

If your house burns next year, you might not be able to call on the Red Cross for help. The Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross is on the verge of discontinuing its service here unless it gets some funding. Jeremy Blansett of the Red Cross gave Lincoln Fiscal Court the bad news Tuesday and asked magistrates for a contribution. "The way it stands right now, the service will end next year," Blansett said. Judge Executive R. W. "Buckwheat" Gilbert said the county will "find funding at some level.

STANFORD — Calling all cars! Calling all cars! Report to Lincoln County High School Saturday to help the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross raise money to keep serving Lincoln County. The chapter, which serves Lincoln, Garrard and five other counties, is hoping for a large turnout of car show participants and spectators to boost Red Cross funding at the local level. The agency, which helps victims of local fires and other disasters, continues to struggle to come up with enough money to provide services, said area coordinator Jeremy Blansett.

Forty-five years ago Lucy Blankenship asked me to volunteer for the Boyle County Chapter of the American Red Cross, which later became the Central Kentucky Chapter. My job was to pour orange juice at the blood drives. During the past nine and a half years, I have had the pleasure of serving as executive director of the chapter. I have worked beside such dedicated individuals as Crystal McPherson of the Family Services Association, Dan and Heather Nelson at the Salvation Army, and C.R. Payne at the Bluegrass Community Action Agency.

News of the devastation in Southeast Asia, where a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit, has led many to the Internet to donate, but some in Danville are also collecting money for victims. The best way to help victims is to send money, said Ruthann Phillips, executive director of the Boyle County chapter of the American Red Cross. Since the floods hit, Phillips said the phone has been constantly ringing. People want to know how they can help. Phillips has put donation envelopes at local bank branches.

The Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross recently received a grant from its national association for to provide a holiday event for veterans, their spouses and military families in its service area of Boyle and Mercer counties. Separate free events will be held in each county. The Boyle County event will be noon Dec. 12 at the old Centre College dining commons located at Harding and Perryville streets, nearly under the viaduct. Since Centre students will have left campus for the holiday season, ample parking will be available, and there will be reserved parking close to the building for those in need of handicapped parking.

Safety day is Wednesday A Community Safety Awareness Day will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday on Senior Day at Kroger. The day is sponsored by the Boyle County AARP chapter, Boyle Emergency Medical Services, American Red Cross, state attorney general's office and local police department. EMS will offer free blood pressure checks, provide free reading materials for emergencies that could occur in a senior's home, and be available to answer questions that seniors or the general public may have.