Published: July 29, 2008 11:14 am         

RED CROSS: Disaster fund depleted

The American Red Cross in Orleans County is facing a desperate need since their disaster fund hit rock bottom this week, said interim executive director Diana Fulcomer.

The agency has responded to three house fires since its fiscal budget year began July 1, and Fulcomer is worried that when the next fire strikes, finding the funds will be difficult.

“We need the support of our community,” she said. “Every bit will help.”

Fulcomer made a trip to the bank Monday morning to transfer temporary funds from the Red Cross’ general operating reserve. Even that is the lowest it has been in awhile, she said. It should be double what it is, but has enough to carry them

The disaster fund should have at least $2,000 to $3,000 at any given time, she said.

“It shouldn’t be this low,” Fulcomer said. “We’re trying to be very frugal to make sure we have what we need to take care of our community in the event of a disaster. ... We are obligated to be there for the entire county.”

Emergency responders called the Red Cross to the scene when a 62-year-old Fancher man was left homeless July 2, said disaster instructor Darla McGill. They were called again July 9 and 13, when families in Albion and Carlton suffered house fires, as well.

Eight people were assisted with $1,120 in food and clothing, she said. Temporary shelter at local hotels for an evening cost an additional $325.

The cost of training programs and minimal fundraising from the 50/50 raffle at the Friday night cruise-ins haven’t helped their cause either. Because the County Cruise-in fell on graduation night, the 50/50 raffle and chicken barbecue raised a mere $144. They usually bring in $2,000 at the event, McGill said.

“We didn’t even break even, I don’t think,” she said.

The remaining cruise-ins, held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Medina Canal Basin, raise an average of $100 or less per evening.

What they need now are donations, of any size, and volunteers willing to organize additional fundraisers, Fulcomer said. The Red Cross is seeking someone to perhaps take the lead with a booth at Medina’s Canal Heritage Days Aug. 9, or someone with ideas for something new.

The Red Cross also lacks a presence online. Anyone who would be able to help with a new Web site is needed, as well.

The humanitarian organization currently operates with two full-time staff members, one part-time staff and a score of volunteers. More than 50 are on the Orleans County American Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resource team. Others serve as health and safety instructors, host blood drives or help out in the office.

“If I could measure our wealth by our volunteers, we’re very rich,” Fulcomer said. “But we cannot use that to provide our disaster services.”

“We could use some new blood — no pun intended.”

The only problem is that their volunteers at present are already “maxed out” with other things, especially the staff, Fulcomer said. Interested persons are asked to apply so that they can be placed where they will be most utilized.

Extra hands will become increasingly necessary as the Red Cross assists families in financial need, she said. The spike in gasoline prices over the past few months has already driven 21 families to their door in need of utility assistance.

The $3,080 FEMA grant the agency was awarded for such a purpose arrived June 11 and was gone by July 2, McGill said. It lasted less than a month.

The need doesn’t stop there, Fulcomer said. When school starts in September, families will have to find money for school supplies. When cold weather strikes, they will be faced with home heating bills double what they paid last year.

The Red Cross projects there will be more county house fires this year from families forced to seek alternative heat sources, Fulcomer said. Their average is 20 a year.

“We’re seeing more and more individuals going paycheck to paycheck. ... Their basic living costs have gone off the charts,” Fulcomer said. “There are many people who could use assistance ... but they won’t ask.”

When they can’t help directly, the Red Cross refers families to local agencies. The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern is holding a school supply drive throughout the summer so that children will start school with everything they need for academic success. Money through some utility companies is also available, Fulcomer said.

Residents turn to the American Red Cross in Orleans County when they are in need financially, when they have experienced a home fire or other related disaster, when they need to get an emergency message to their service man or woman and when they are in need of CPR or First Aid training.

They deployed volunteer Dick Townsend to San Antonio, Texas, to help transport supplies to flood victims on Thursday, Fulcomer said. He will return in three weeks.

Regardless of the disaster fund numbers, they will continue to provide relief in times of disaster.

“We move forward based on our mission,” Fulcomer said. “Somehow, we (will) figure it out.”

Contact the American Red Cross in Orleans County at 798-3170 or visit them at 421 Main Street, Medina.

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 8227.