Thanks, Highlands County

Despite the inactive hurricane season that is coming to an end, our local American Red Cross Chapter has experienced much activity so far this summer. After participating in a mass casualty drill in April, as well as sending a local volunteer to assist with floods in Minnesota, we continued to provide immediate relief to local families who lost everything in home fires.

Our Red Cross has been there when needed. The local chapter would not be able to provide its many services without the many dedicated volunteers and donors who help the Red Cross everyday.

Local donors have come through this season, whether it was students at the Teen Masquerade Ball in Sebring, customers at the Fall Garage Sale at the Red Cross office, or riders and sponsors with the annual Ride for the Red Motorcycle Poker Run, which brought in 600 riders from Polk and Highlands Counties, and riders from around and outside Florida.

The Ride for the Red came together thanks to all the riders and volunteers who took part, as well as our sponsors: Honda of Winter Haven, Harley-Davidson of Lakeland, Ridge Harley-Davidson/Buell of Lake Wales, Hall Communications, Cohan Radio Group, Harbor Side Restaurant, Jarrett-Gordon Ford, State Farm Insurance, Woodmen of the World, The Ledger, the News Chief, the News-Sun, Indian River Transport, Mid-State Machine and Fabrication, ArrMaz Custom Chemicals, Bill Jarrett Ford, Bright House Networks, Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Tampa Electric Company, Bartow Chevrolet, Bartow Regional Medical Center, Beef O'Brady's in Bartow, Buckhead Beef Florida, CCC Group Inc., Federated Mutual Insurance, HD Supply, Heartland Sun Times, Killebrew Inc., Mosaic Four Corners Mine, Mosaic South Ft. Meade, Motorcycle Safety Training, and Warehouse Bar & Grill.

None of the local Red Cross services would be possible without the financial support of local businesses and individuals who enable the chapter to operate throughout the year. Every day more residents in Highlands County prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies with the help of our Red Cross.

Art Harriman
Service Center Director