Ask Billie

Do you remember the song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother?" It was popular 20 or more years ago. Several versions were recorded but I remember Neil Diamond's was my favorite.

All the words do not come to mind but a couple lines have stayed with me.

One is "I am strong enough to carry him 'cause he's my brother" and the other is "His welfare is my concern, cause he's my brother."

For several weeks we have been hearing about the American Red Cross and recently offices of the Rio Colorado Chapter were opened here. The office is located in one of the Wharton County buildings on Burleson Street.

The Rio Colorado Chapter is composed of Colorado, Fayette, Matagorda and Wharton Counties. Matagorda County has had an active chapter of the American Red Cross for many years and maybe Wharton was active many years ago; if so it has been decades.

When disaster strikes it is too late to get organized and we are dependent upon someone else.

Recently Matagorda County has been carrying us and our brother and they have done a great job. It is not only time, but our responsibility and privilege, to become involved.

Why do we prefer to be grouped with Matagorda County rather than Harris County?

Sheer numbers may be one reason but they are closer and they have already proven they are here for us.

Serving the Armed Forces

Providing Armed Forces Emergency Services is one of the important aspects of the American Red Cross. The Rio Colorado Chapter helps local families keep in touch and provide timely, accurate and verified information following a death or serious illness of a family member, birth of a child or other critical matters. Also, there were four times when military financial services were provided this past year.

In 2007 and the first four months of 2008 there were 86 military communications in Wharton County. This happened because Matagorda County cared for us.

The Rio Colorado Chapter responded to 20 single family fires in Wharton County. Matagorda volunteers responded to family flooding in East Bernard due to flooding of the San Bernard River.

There were dozens of other instances where the American Red Cross was active throughout Wharton County.

It is long past time that we became involved in caring and carrying because he ain't heavy, he's our brother.

'Hero's Campaign'

Businesses and organizations throughout Wharton County are called upon to participate in the Rio Colorado "Hero's Campaign."

We will see signs, banners and cans in businesses during June. The goal is to raise $10,000 this first year and all dollars stay in Wharton. Volunteers do the work so every dollar goes to assist our own.

Some have been confused about where dollars were used and misused during the last two hurricanes. That was FEMA, federal dollars, and has nothing to do with the American Red Cross.

Funding for American Red Cross comes from volunteers, just like those of us in Wharton County.

We will be hearing more about volunteer opportunities to serve in emergencies and to be trained. In the meantime, we need to take this opportunity to help our own brothers when they have needs.