Red Cross Month kick-off a success

If the Gak didn't attract people, Tucker's wagging tail did. Both the Play-Doh-like substance and the friendly canine were on hand at Bloomington's College Mall Saturday, drawing visitors to the annual Red Cross Month Kick-Off. A larger-than-expected crowd and a successful used book sale highlighted the afternoon, but the message was simply awareness.\n"We've sold quite a few books today," said June Taylor, the Red Cross community event coordinator. "But we're really just here to show people that the Red Cross is about more than the just fires and blood drives." \nAccording to its Web site, www.bloomington.in.us/~redcross, the Red Cross provides services to the community for disaster relief, health and safety, armed forces emergencies and more. \nHer first year as head of the event, Taylor said she was pleasantly surprised at the turnout, despite unpleasant weather conditions, and tried to steer away from the stereotypical donation-based tactics. With free soft drinks, face painting and the secret of how to make your own Gak, Taylor said the generous nature of the organization was definitely conveyed. \n"We decided not to bring out the red buckets or anything like that," Taylor said.\nTucker, the golden retriever that attended the event, is a search dog for John Poehlman's Argus K-9 Search and Rescue Team, one of the lesser-known services that provides health and safety assistance to the Red Cross. \nPoehlman was also promoting Red Cross Month, but most of his time was spent talking to people hunched over to meet his little friend. It was mostly children taking turns at the dog's frequent licks, but even some adults just couldn't resist his charm.\nFor most curious kids, after greeting Tucker it was then time to make Gak, a somewhat moist clay substitute provided by three IU students in a Leisure Program Development class. By volunteering, the students also earned credit for a group project in which they had to assist in an activity with a local organization. \nSenior Mike Farrell participated in the class event because he considers the Red Cross an organization that "caters to the public."\nThe students' activity stressed the importance of children to the Red Cross, a theme that is traditionally continued with the "Spot the Flags" contest this month. In honor of Red Cross Month, over 40 businesses around Bloomington have agreed to fly Red Cross flags throughout March. If a child can submit a list of 10 places around Bloomington with a Red Cross flag out this month, he or she will receive a special prize. \nThe Red Cross will also be at the Bloomington Business Expo April 15, the "East Fest" April 17 and the Red Cross 21st annual book fair in early October. For more information about Red Cross events, donations or volunteering opportunities, call the Monroe County Chapter at 332-7292 or visit its Web site at www.bloomington.in.us/~redcross.\n-- Contact staff writer Russell Puntenney at rpuntenn@indiana.edu.