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 American Red Cross
American Red Cross
Gaston County Chapter
Annual Report
2006-2007
The Gaston
County Chapter of the American Red Cross received its congressional
charter in 1917 and since that time has provided Gaston County residents
with vital Red Cross services that include: Armed Forces Emergency
Services (AFES), Disaster Services, Blood Collections, CPR & First Aid
Training and Youth Leadership Programs.
Our presence in
the Gaston Community is stronger today than ever in our 90 year
history. Yet the need for our services continues to increase. Fiscal
year 2006-07 presented us with new challenges and uncharted territory,
but we rose to the occasion and have never been more proud of where we
have come from and where we are headed.
In addition to
their Red Cross duties, our paid staff maintained their involvement on
numerous boards, committees and organizations in the community –for
example the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the local Federal
Emergency Management Board and the Gaston County Safety, Health and
Environmental Association.
Mission Statement
The
American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and
guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of
the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of
disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to
emergencies.
Chapter Programs
Blood Servicestc
"Blood Services"
The Red Cross philosophy is that the
blood supply is a community responsibility – not a family responsibility
– thereby eliminating the need for families to replace or provide
blood. From friends and family in Gaston County to friends and family
across the US, our mission is to provide life-saving blood products to
anyone in need. Over the past year, the Gaston County Chapter collected
6807 units of life-saving blood in this county. These tremendous
results are due to a dedicated team of blood drive sponsors in Gaston
County and the volunteers who so generously give their time and/or blood
to ensure each drive is successful.
Community Support
For the sixth
consecutive year, we boasted 100 percent participation in the annual
Board Giving Campaign. Our direct mail campaigns netted just under
$26,000 and both annual special event fundraisers were successful due to
the continued support of our volunteers and sponsors. Night with St.
Nick raised approximately $2600 and the 19th Annual Choice USA/American
Red Cross Golf Tournament brought in over $16,000. The chapter held its
3rd annual Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign in
February. Through the Community Foundation of Gaston County’s forth
annual “Run for the Money,” we raised $8,675.60. Our volunteers and
Board of Directors conducted a Thanksgiving phonathon to recognize the
generosity of all financial supporters. We continued to benefit from
coverage in both The Gaston Gazette and The Charlotte Observer
(Gaston Section).
Emergency Services
Our Emergency
Services department is comprised of two primary services, both mandated
by Congressional Charter. Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) and
Disaster Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AFES works with local military families to assist in matters
concerning life, death, birth, illness and financial emergencies.
During the past year 133 cases for emergency communications and
financial assistance were opened. Disaster Services has more
than 100 trained volunteers who are on call in the event of a local or
national disaster. We provided $28,257.00 in assistance to 75 local
families devastated by fire and other natural disasters. There were 10
canteens this year and one canteen held at the Highlands chapter for the
Service men and women of the 505th Engineer Group returning
from Iraq. The canteen served 385 soldiers and their families for an
estimated 1155 people. The 1st annual chapter drill was held
in April and was well attended and supported by volunteers and partner
agencies.
Health and Safety Servicestc "Health
and Safety Services"
Our Health and
Safety Services mission is to increase safety awareness and train
individuals to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies. The Health
and Safety department has developed partnerships with 200 local
businesses to provide training to their employees. More than 10,400
Gaston County residents participated in CPR, First Aid, Automated
External Defibrillation (AED), Lifeguard Training, Water Safety and
Babysitting this year. Every five years the American Red Cross updates
how CPR is to be administered, and fiscal year 2006-2007 was the year
for major changes. Participants are able to learn and retain CPR skills
easier with the new instructional aid of Practice-While-You-Watch.
Gaston County has completed our 2nd year of Blended Learning
by training over 500 participants, an 18% increase over last year.
Volunteer Services
There is no way
the Red Cross could touch the lives of so many people without
volunteers. Volunteers set policy and govern — nationally and locally —
and they provide the services for the community. The Chapter now has
approximately 250 active volunteers, in addition to a “reserve force” of
trained disaster volunteers and a small army of blood sponsors and
company volunteers. Over the past year, those volunteers donated 6100
hours to their community and, most importantly, to further the mission
of the Red Cross. Volunteers were honored at a Thanksgiving drop-in
reception as well as the annual Volunteer Dinner which was held in
April.
Youth Services
During the past
year, 32 local youth, ages 14-18, enrolled in our Youth Explorer Post
510. The goal of our youth program is to provide leadership training
for these youth through the special projects and activities of the
American Red Cross and the Explorer Post. This year, members of the
group became certified in CPR and first aid. They taught basic safety
and first aid to 100 cub scouts and performed skits at local health
fairs with their “Clown Around Troup.” The group represented the
American Red Cross in the Veterans’ Day and Christmas Parade, as well as
participating with the chapter as volunteers for the annual “Night with
Saint Nick” fundraiser. Over the holidays, the youth made and delivered
fruit and cookie baskets to area fire departments and enjoyed a ski
outing to Appalachian Ski Mountain. They prepared and mailed Valentine
goody bags to soldiers in Iraq. The group spent time during Easter break
working with children at the West Gastonia Girls and Boys club. As part
of the leadership program they prepared and presented a PowerPoint
presentation to Red Cross service area leaders and chapter executives.
Two fundraisers were held this year along with the $1400 raised for the
measles and malaria initiative. The group hosted the “Summer Youth Blood
Drive.” Three of the youth served as non-voting representatives on the
chapter’s board of directors. We are proud to announce that Krishna Deva
was chosen as Gaston County’s Youth Volunteer of the Year for her
outstanding work with the Red Cross Youth Explorers Post.
Statement of Activities for the Year Ended June 30, 2007
Revenues:
United Way
$233,191
Monetary Contributions $ 57,366
Products and Services
$107,269
Fundraising $ 45,449
All
other income $ 60,448
Total
Revenue and Support $503,723
Expenses:
Armed
Forces Emergency Services $ 23,319
Disaster Services $106,747
Biomedical Services $ 23,983
Health Services $ 96,842
Community Services $ 8,688
International Services $ 7,027
TOTAL
Program Services $266,606
Membership and Fundraising $
59,773
Management and General
$180,825
TOTAL
Support Services $240,598
Total
Expenses $507,204
Change in Net Assets
($ 3,481)
Statement of Financial Position
Net
Assets:
Unrestricted $443,342
Temporarily Restricted $236,007
Permanently Restricted $ 6,700
Total
Net Assets $686,049
Complete financial statements are available at the Chapter office,
located at 190 South Oakland Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
Gaston County Chapter
Board of Directors
2006-2007
Artie Newcombe, Chairman
Lorna Timmons, Vice-chairman
Emily Craig, Secretary
Trey Albright, Treasurer
Pratt Butler
Page Carver
Joe Clemmer
Jennifer Davis
Lewis Efird
Jackie Gonzales
Tom Hauer
Roger Helton
Dr. Will Kelly
William Lucas
Will MacDonald
Lee Peindl
Ruth Rice
Scott Roberts
Brian Schroeder
Jeff Serzan
Mark Shellman
Ash Smith
Lisa Sido
Susan Stover
Lee Taylor
Keith Watts
Melissa Williams
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