American Red Cross sponsors hero campaign

March is Red Cross month, and the American Red Cross Monroe County Chapter is looking for “heroes.”

From March 10 until April 28, the local county chapter will sponsor its third annual “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign, in which local volunteers work together to raise money to support Red Cross services.

“Local businesses and organizations are more willing to make donations to the Red Cross because they know that funds will stay in their community,” said Caroline Tattersall, an IU Red Cross Club committee member. “That makes a big difference in the turnout.”

All of the proceeds raised from this campaign will be used to support education and services throughout Monroe and Owen counties.

Last year the chapter raised about $75,000, and this year the members aim to collect $60,000.

This year’s campaign is chaired by Lindsey Smith, who has served the Monroe County Chapter for many years as chair of the Emergency Services Committee, member of the Human Resources Committee and vice chair of the board.

Smith is taking a different approach from previous year’s campaigns. He said he wants to emphasize that it’s a mass-participation, grassroots, community fundraising effort.
“I call it casting a larger net,” Smith said. “It’s more economy-driven.”

He recognizes that everyone is experiencing the economy’s rough times. So the volunteering departments can now work together to reach their goal of $1,000.

Anyone can participate in working toward becoming a hero. Executive Director of the American Red Cross Monroe County Chapter Sue Gulley said the campaign’s goal is to involve as many individuals from as many backgrounds as possible.

On March 26, Tattersall and other volunteers will be scattered around campus collecting donations.

“Everyone can participate,” Tattersall said. “Even donating a dollar would help us out.”