With the tragic house fire that destroyed a home in Trade,
Tenn. on Monday, there is no better time to celebrate the American
Red Cross and the importance of disaster relief within the community
during Red Cross Month this March.
The Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross provided
Mark and Jan Shope and their 21-year-old son with the necessities
they needed to cope with their unfortunate situation.
“In such cases, we provide food, shelter, clothing and try
and restore hope when hope has been temporarily been lost,”
said Sonny Sweet, executive director of the Watauga cahpter.
The American Red Cross found the family of three a room at Nations
Inn in West Jefferson, close to Ingles where Jan Shope is currently
employed.
“We put her as close to work as possible, so she would not
have any difficulty in getting back to work in such a tragic time,”
Sweet said. “Unfortunately, that’s the most common disaster
we deal with.”
Typically, the Watauga chapter handles 21 cases of single household
fires per year. The cause usually links to electrical fires.
“We want to make a difference and help take care of our own,”
Sweet said. “And we do it through your support.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt initially instated American Red Cross month
in 1942 during World War II, but every president since has carried
on the tradition of celebrating an organization that provides
relief and security to the people worldwide.
“The intent of the month is to make the public aware of the
American Red Cross and their success over the years,” Sweet
said. “And we are still here. Start your spring with a new
growth.”
Watauga County’s local chapter has risen to the top for its
second year in a row in growth of blood collections, and for the
first year it is first in the state of North Carolina for blood
collections on a per capital basis.
The chapter’s strength has grown since students have taken
an acute interest in blood donations. Appalachian State University
in concert with the Red Cross held the largest student driven
blood mobile in the history of North Carolina, breaking the University
of North Carolina’s record by raising more than 1,000 pints
of blood. Watauga High School students also held the largest blood
mobile run by high school students last year.
“Blood collection has been the most notable succession,”
Sweet said.
But Blood, Sweat and Gears, the chapter’s full English century
bicycle race, is still breaking record numbers as far as participants
are concerned. It is the chapter’s largest fundraiser for
disaster relief operations. Space is limited to 750 riders, and
the date is set for June 27 at 7:30 a.m. this year.
With all the Red Cross’s accomplishments, Sweet asked that
people remember to support the local Watauga County chapter, whether
by blood donations, monetary donations or time.
If needles cause fainting spells, come out to the Red Cross benefit
show at Geno’s Restaurant and Sports Feb. 21 from 9 p.m.
until 1 a.m. Company Cowboys and Doc Aquatic are two bands that
will be playing into the night, rocking for a good cause.
For more information about blood drives, class times or donation
information, visit www.wataugaredcross.com.
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