Red Cross looking for local 'heroes'
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Everyone can be a "Hero" according to American Red Cross Rio Colorado Chapter Services Director Stephanie Merritt, who was helped by City of Wharton Emergency Management Director Jim Cooper, center, and Wharton County Emergency Management Director Andy Kirkland in unveiling the We're Hometown Heroes fundraising campaign.

In popular culture, heroes are commonly thought of as people with "superhuman" abilities using them to aid their communities.

The American Red Cross Rio Colorado Chapter is offering any and everyone the opportunity to be a hero in their community.

The group opened its inaugural Wharton County Heroes Campaign, scheduled to run through the end of June, with a kick-off meeting in Wharton.

During the meeting, ARC Chapter Executive Director Pat Curry announced Wharton County Sheriff Jess Howell will be the honorary campaign chair this year.

In the Heroes Campaign, ARC Chapter Services Director Stephanie Merritt said volunteer participants are asked to raise $1,000 in donations as an individual, business or organization.

"We use 'heroes' because it reflects how important these individuals are to supporting the American Red Cross in their communities," Merritt said.

"We picked a goal of $1,000 to give the participants a goal to shoot for, but we've had people raise less and those who raised more."

As part of the campaign, the Red Cross provides examples of fundraising projects ranging from barbecues and bake sales to creating, designing and selling T-shirts.

The list also mentions getting high school clubs and classes involved as well as college groups and civic organizations.

"I know of a lot of businesses and hospitals that have had competitions between departments or different businesses holding competitions to raise money," Merritt said.

"They are friendly competitions that raise the profile of both the businesses and of the ARC in the community."

Wharton County has been part of the Rio Colorado Chapter since 2005, when the Matagorda Chapter expanded to include Wharton, Colorado and Fayette counties.

"The Matagorda Chapter was actually founded in 1917," Merritt said. "But in 2005, we added the three other counties so we had to change the name to reflect our new service area."

Curry emphasized that the funds raised in Wharton County would be reserved for use in Wharton County.

"Any money raised here will stay here," she said.

"We haven't done a fundraising campaign in Wharton County before so we've been supplementing it with money from Matagorda (County). We didn't take on Wharton County to collect money, but to help us grow and raise awareness of the Red Cross."

She added local residents shouldn't get the ARC, a private non-profit, confused with governmental agencies.

"The Red Cross is not FEMA," Curry said. "We are not part of the government. We are donation funded."

Wharton County Emergency Management Director Andy Kirkland said the change from the county's previous Red Cross provider, the Houston Chapter, and the Rio Colorado Chapter has been tremendous.

"Since 1991, we'd been with the Houston Chapter and we had a hard time on some occasions getting services out of them," Kirkland said.

"We were not their top priority. In fact, we were not a priority at all. We were thrilled with the change to move to the Rio Colorado Chapter when invited. They called us asking what they could do to help and we welcomed the change."

Kirkland said that offer of assistance now needs to be returned.

"It's time for Wharton County to step up and do what it can for the Red Cross," he said.

"They've been so quick to respond to our emergencies, it is time for us to step up and help the Red Cross. And in doing so, we're stepping up to help ourselves."

Among the services provided by the American Red Cross in Wharton County are Armed Forces emergency services, disaster response, disaster preparedness education and health, safety and community services such as CPR, first aid classes, lifeguard training and other classes.

For those interested in participating in the Heroes Campaign, pledge forms, fund raising materials and ideas are available at the local Red Cross location at 116 E. Burleson.

For more information, call 531-1128.