Red Cross heroes exceed campaign goal

By JEFFREY SAULTON, jsaulton@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG — Less than a month ago the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross set out to raise $25,000 for local disaster relief with the “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign

On Monday during a dinner at the Blennerhassett Hotel it was announced that goal was met and exceeded thanks to a group of heroes who were able to collect money for the organization. James Johnson, president of Ohio Valley University and chairman of the campaign, announced officials set a goal of $25,000 at a kick-off breakfast on March 11. Monday night, he said, the goal had been met.

“We started with a goal of $25,000,” Johnson said. “We met that plus $5,000, a total of $30,000.”

Johnson said those who worked on the campaign showed they were able to find the time to listen for what is important and act on what they heard. He said they were there to celebrate doing something important.

Johnson said in a time when people find themselves rushing to get things done, they find they have given up on working on the things they think are most important.

“There are five things that are important in everyone’s life,” he said. “Many of you do not know me and I don’t know you but we each know of at least three things which are important to each other.

Johnson said those things were what he called the “five F’s.”

“They are, in no certain order, faith, family, friends, finances and fitness,” he said.

Johnson said while many people say family is important, many do not take the time to spend time with them.

“Fathers on average spend less than two hours a week visiting with their children,” he said.

Johnson said it is important to not get caught up in the urgency of life.

“Always listen for what is important,” he said. “You will know what is important and then you will hear what is important.

“Thank you for doing what was right and what was important.”

Joyce Halley, a volunteer on the financial development committee, said the chapter will take the program out to the counties it serves to raise funds for relief services there. She said the goal and dates have not been set, but the Red Cross is looking for volunteers to be co-chairs for fundraising.

Dan Decker, chairman of disaster services, spoke about the efforts of those who work and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“When there is a disaster, we have people who are ready to go where they are needed at a moment’s notice,” he said. “We have others who are ready for local events that are a disaster for those who are affected.”

When a family loses everything to a house fire, Decker said the local Red Cross is on the scene to provide food, financial assistance, as well as temporary housing and other items to get the family back on its feet.

Decker said every dollar raised locally stays here. He said while it is not a cure-all, the help the Red Cross provides is designed to help people get back on their feet and set them on the right track.

Sharon Kesselring, financial development director, said $1,000 can help families in the community in a variety of ways. That amount can provide cleanup kits for 56 families who have flood or storm damage to their homes; shoes and clothing for two families of four who lose their homes to a fire or natural disaster; bedding supplies and linen for four families of four who lose their home; roof repairs for two storm-damaged homes; 571 comfort kits full of toiletries for disaster victims who have lost their homes; 198 blankets or 37 cots for disaster victims who must spend a night in a shelter and groceries for up to 20 disaster victims.