Red Cross seeks blood donors, financial help
The Fayette County Chapter of the American Red Cross is issuing an appeal to the public for donations to the local disaster relief fund and for blood donors. “We had budgeted $15,000 for disaster relief for fiscal year 2001-2002, which is up at the end of June,’ said Roberta Rutter Higinbotham, executive director. “We’re over budget right now. We’ve spent $17,800 as of (Tuesday).”
Higinbotham reported that one-third of the disaster relief budget was spent in May, the result of flooding and a significant number of house fires. The Red Cross spent about $6,000 in May, helping 28 families who needed assistance.
Flooding struck Brownsville, Grindstone, Belle Vernon and Perry Township, sending residents to seek help from the Red Cross.
“The rain came so fast that storm drains and sewers couldn’t handle all the water and it backed up into people’s houses,’ said Higinbotham. “A lot of people lost clothing and furniture. Hot water tanks and furnaces were damaged.
“We gave out vouchers for new clothing. We put up several people in the Holiday Inn a few days because they were unable to live in their houses. We issued a voucher for one gentleman for a hot water tank and we referred people to the food bank if they had freezers in their basements and lost food.’
The local disaster relief fund also provided assistance to many people who were victims of house fires in May.
“We had a lot of total loss fires – the houses were completely gone,’ Higinbotham said.
As a result, the local disaster relief fund is over budget and the Red Cross is asking the public for assistance.
Donations can be sent to the Fayette County Red Cross chapter, 108 Morgantown St., Uniontown, 15401. The checks should be designated for the local disaster fund.
Higinbotham also is issuing a plea for blood donors.
“We went on emergency appeal Monday,” she explained. “Summertime is always fairly critical, but this is early in the season and we’re already on alert.
“When there’s a blood shortage, non-critical or elective surgery is canceled so blood supplies can be retained for emergencies, like traumas such as car accidents.
Anyone can donate blood by appearing at any of the following blood drives:
– June 5: Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church, Dunbar, 1 to 7 p.m.
– June 7: Highlands Hospital, noon to 6 p.m.
– June 10: PennDOT, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
– June 11: Trinity Lutheran Church, Connellsville, 1 to 7 p.m.
– June 19: Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department, 1 to 7 p.m.
– June 21: American Legion, Masontown, noon to 6 p.m.
– June 24: Uniontown Mall, noon to 6 p.m., and Amvets, Hopwood, 1 to 7 p.m.
– June 27: American Legion, Uniontown, 1 to 7 p.m.; Farmington Fire Hall, 1 to 7 p.m.; and Uniontown Hospital, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– July 2: Sears, Uniontown Mall, noon to 6 p.m.
– July 9: First Christian Church, Brownsville, 1 to 7 p.m.
– July 17: Uniontown Firemen’s Social Hall, noon to 6 p.m.
– July 19: St. John Roman Catholic Church, Connellsville, noon to 6 p.m.
– July 23: Fairchance Fire Hall, noon to 6 p.m.
– July 27: Point Marion Fire Hall: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– July 31: Third Presbyterian Church, Uniontown, noon to 6 p.m.
Anyone who would like to schedule a blood drive, request a more comprehensive list of blood drives or volunteer to work at blood drives or in disaster relief can call the Red Cross at 724-438-2569.