Local American Red Cross Needs Donations

The American Red Cross national day of giving was Saturday, but with local donations down 43 percent, the Highlands County office also needs support.

Aside from private donations, the only outside funding the branch office receives is from United Way, but its donations were down, too, said Art Harriman, service director for the Highlands County American Red Cross office.

"We helped 38 families last year at an average of $1,000 a family, which is about the same as the year before," said Harriman. "So we're trying to provide the same services on 43 percent less."

Aside from providing aid to local residents when they've suffered the loss of a home from a fire, the local Red Cross also holds health and safety classes, but the chapter doesn't make a profit on those.

"The health and safety classes barely pay for the materials and instructors," said Harriman.

Harriman does have a holiday wish list.

"A dependable smaller size vehicle, something that doesn't use much gas," he said. "If someone wants to give me a vehicle that needs about $4,000 in repairs, I can't use it."

Harriman's list goes on.

"A (Global Positioning System); a couple of laptop computers with the air cards so they can operate outside - in the field; and a small trailer - something I can take some furniture on, haul equipment in or haul disaster supplies."

The American Red Cross van already has a trailer hitch.

"We're still in need of volunteers for the day-to-day operations," said Harriman. "That's the life-blood. I'm just one little paid employee."

Volunteers often staff local shelters during hurricanes and may help out with all types of disaster relief throughout the year both locally and nationally, as well as answering telephone calls and helping out in the office.

For more information, call 863-386-4440 or to make a local donation write a check to the American Red Cross, and in the memo line put Highlands County, and send it to 106 Medical Center Ave., Sebring, Florida, 33870 or drop it off.

The office is located behind Highlands Regional Medical Center.