'Subject to the economy'

Red Cross chapter in Arkadelphia hurting for funding

By By Angela McGuigan CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The American Red Cross Diamond Valley Chapter in Arkadelphia has helped countless people during times of need, and now the agency is suffering from lack of funding.

The Diamond Valley Chapter serves Clark, Dallas, Grant, Hot Spring and Pike counties.

The chapter will not be closing its doors anytime soon, but it could use funding, said Brigette Williams, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross.

"We are like a lot of nonprofit agencies because we are subject to the economy," she said. Williams She explained that the Red Cross is not a government agency, which means it only receives funding fromfoundations, grants, individual gifts, and public education classes.

Williams said the American Red Cross had three months of disasters. Out of the $1.8 million donated during that time, Arkansans were the most generous, giving $800,000.

Local disasters also need funding, she said, and the Diamond Valley Chapter experienced a record number of residential fires, which used more funds than expected. Williams said that even with a lack of funding "we continue moving forward because disaster fires are our No. 1 cause."

Jim Burns, director of the Office of Emergency Management in Clark County, believes it is critical that the community keeps the Red Cross up and running. "We have very good relationship with the RedCross, and they are there to help with anything from a major disaster to a house fire," Burns said. "The Red Cross is a resource. Without them Clark County would have to have a completely new EMO plan," he added.

Rick Brumley, director of the Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, said he believes having a local chapter is important.

"We provide the shelter, but our community has no other organization that could come in and organize a disastrous situation," Brumley said.

In nondisaster mode, the Diamond Valley Chapter provides public education to places like South Central Electric.

Office Manager Anita Godwin said the Red Cross comes once a year and provides CPR training to the employees, and first-aid training as needed.

"I don't know of any other organization around here that offers that service," Godwin said. "It is so convenient that they are located here in Arkadelphia, so we need to make sure and keep them around."

William said the American Red Cross started a national campaign called the NationalDisaster Relief Fund this past summer to replace depleted funds and it was able to raise $100 million.

The Diamond Valley Chapter's fiscal year does not end until June, which means funding is still needed to make it until the end of the year, Williams said.

"When the community realizes we are in trouble, people step up," Williams said.

"Donations are always welcome, and can be used as a tax deduction," she added.

Donations may be sent to the Diamond Valley Chapter Red Cross, P.O. Box 1156, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 55, 62 on 01/15/2009