Wabash Valley Red Cross needs funding help for fire disasters

When fires, floods, storms or other natural disasters strike residents in the Wabash Valley, the American Red Cross is there quickly to assist residents in the recovery process.

The Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross -- which serves eight Indiana and Illinois counties -- is funded largely by local donations from individuals, companies, and corporations.

The chapter does not receive a stipend or allocation from the American Red Cross National Headquarters.

The area chapter relies primarily upon giving by generous-minded individuals and businesses within its communities in order to be able to meet the needs of our communities.

Recently, the parent organization announced changes in its fire disaster reimbursement program that will be felt by residents served throughout the Wabash Valley.

Starting July 1, 2009, expenses incurred by local chapters in Greene, Clay, Putnam, Sullivan, Parke and Vermillion counties in west central Indiana and Edgar County, Ill., will no longer be reimbursed by the national office.

Fire expenses for Vigo County are not currently reimbursed and consequently will not be affected by the policy revision.

"In the past we have been able to have a level of reimbursement from the national disaster relief fund for local fires in Greene and other counties. That will be changing," according to Carol Stevens, who serves as executive director for the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Greene County Red Cross Disaster Relief Coordinator David Neal, from Jasonville, says it's pretty clear that the reimbursement cut in funding is going to put more burden on residents at the county level to donate money to maintain the level of service that has been experienced in the past.

"We'll have to pick up the cost," he said.

Neal is the guy who gets a call from law enforcement or fire departments whenever a residential fire hits.

He carries a cell phone around the clock and stands ready to render assistance when the need arises.

"We have done about four fires in the last two months," he said.

Neal pointed out that every fire is different and there is no good way to estimate or budget for what kind of financial assistance might be needed in the future.

"We will only give housing in a motel for one night in order to give them time to get situated," he noted.

Red Cross expenses can run from about $100 to more than $1,000 per fire, Neal said.

"It (the local disaster fund) can be ate up pretty quick," he added.

What is the reason for the cutback?

Neal said the number and scope of national disasters -- hurricanes, floods and tornadoes -- has depleted the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

"It's drained us," Neal said.

According to material made available by the American Red Cross headquarters, in the past 12 months the cost of providing disaster relief has rapidly outpaced contributions -- depleting the fund.

"We have been forced to borrow the money to continue to provide disaster relief assistance services that America has come to rely upon," the news release stated.

Stevens said this cutback will force the local chapters to do a better job of fundraising.

"That means we are going to have to raise additional funds in seven counties," she said. "When we add it all up, it's about a $40,000 to $50,000 revenue stream that we are going to have to generate."

Stevens estimated that the shortfall will require each of the counties to raise about $10,000.

Adding to the financial challenge in Greene County is the fact that the local United Way chapter has disband in the past year, creating another $2,000 shortfall in funding that normally went to the Red Cross.

Stevens said the Flamingo Flocking funding raising project will continue as well as the youth golf clinic and tournament and the Save the Day campaign.

There is a great need for private and corporate donations.

"We understand the economic challenges and know that is why the need is so great," she said.

Stevens acknowledged that the past year has been very tough with a major flood and several tornadoes that rocked a large sector of Greene and other area counties.

"It's been extremely challenging. The June flooding that we had, almost all seven of our counties were affected at some levels. The counties that were more affected were Greene and Vigo. We did raise a substantial amount of money for that effort, but it's going to be the day-to-day fires. If you lose your home to a fire or a flood it doesn't matter, you still lost your home and you have the same trauma to go through, the same prospect of trying to re-create your home is extremely bad."

The massive Red Cross relief operation in June, the largest in Indiana in more than 70 years, cost between $4.5 and $5 million. The Wabash Valley's piece of that total cost was in excess of $480,000.

Locally, just over $347,000 was raised for the Wabash Valley flood relief efforts.

Nationally, the Red Cross spent $263 million responding to disasters since Sept. 2007.

Congress and President George W. Bush signed into legislation in late September that will provide some help -- $100 million earmarked for Red Cross disaster relief. The money can be used to pay for any natural disasters that occurred within calendar year 2008 and received Presidential disaster declaration -- meaning reimbursement can be sought from this appropriation for large disasters that hit earlier this year.

There are many ways that residents throughout the Wabash Valley can give to the Red Cross.

* Give on-line with a credit card through a secure site.

* Give a gift by check via the U.S. Postal Service mails to: American Red Cross of the Wabash Valley, 700 South Third Street, Terre Haute Ind., 47807-4608.

* Set up a one-time or recurring electronic transfer with your bank or with PayPal.

* Check with your employer for a gift-match program.

* Volunteer your time

For more information on how to donate to the Red Cross or volunteer to help, go to the Web site: www.wabashvalleyredcross.org

Where to go for Red Cross help:

Wabash Valley Red Cross

700 South Third Street

Terre Haute Ind., 47807-4608

(812) 232-3393

(812) 232-4615 (FAX)

If you have a disaster or Armed Forces emergency, call 24 hours a day (812) 232-3393 and follow the prompts.

For all other non-emergencies, call (812) 232-3393 Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

If you are outside of the Vigo County calling area you can call 1-866-932-3393.

The Putnam County office is located at 209 West Liberty, Room 12, Greencastle, Ind., 46135, and is open on Wednesdays.