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Washington County Red Cross observes 90th year
The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. It will include dinner and an auction, with proceeds going to support the Washington County Red Cross. Auction items have been donated by a number of local businesses. Tickets for the event are still available and cost $25 each. Those planning to attend are encouraged to purchase their tickets as soon as possible because seating will be limited. For more information or to purchase tickets call the Washington County Red Cross office at (251) 847-2491. A host of services provided The Washington County chapter of the American Red Cross opened its doors on Nov. 6, 1917. Very few historical records are available to find out its history. "We do know that for some time it operated from a lady's home," said Shannon Davidson, who serves as the manager of Washington County Red Cross office. "It has also been located in Chatom Town Hall, the Washington County Courthouse and Frank Turner Hall, its current location."
According to Davidson, the Red Cross doesn't just coordinate blood drives and provide relief services during natural disasters. "Our largest response service is to families who experience fires," she said. "We provide food, clothing and shelter if necessary." Another service provided by the Red Cross is Project Share, which provides energy assistance for the elderly and disabled. Faye Waites serves as the Project Share coordinator for Washington County. She sets up appointments with elderly and disabled people and assists them with compiling their information so the proper forms can be filled out for them to receive financial assistance with their heating and cooling bills. Waites is also the coordinator for a new service to be offered by the Washington County chapter of the Red Cross--the Disaster Action Team (DAT). The volunteer program coordinates four groups, which have received special training and will respond when there is a need. "If there's a disaster of some type, a wreck or a fire, the team on call will meet at the office and then respond to the scene, where they will provide water, snacks and other assistance if needed," she explained. "Depending on how long we are there, one hot meal may also be provided." An ambulance has been donated for the program by Tippecanoe County, Ind., for the DAT volunteers to use as their response vehicle. "All we have to do is go pick it up," she said. "That will be done this weekend." Atotal of 16 people have already volunteered to participate in the DAT program. The group will conduct an organizational meeting Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the small courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse. Anyone interested in participating as a DAT member can attend the meeting. For more information contact Waites at 847-2491. The Red Cross also provides military communications services between families and military personnel, mainly in case of an emergency. "Those instances usually involve deaths in the family, medical emergencies and birth notifications," said Davidson. "We also do health and welfare checks if someone has not heard from a loved one who is in the military for awhile," she said. "But, since the Iraq War, that service has become more stringent." Other services include providing classes to teach CPR and First Aid. Blood services are provided through the Red Cross's Biomedical Division.
Both Davidson and Waites encourage people to support the Washington County chapter of the Red Cross. "We're here to provide services for people in their times of need," concluded Davidson.
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