“Donors focused on the vast number of families affected by the hurricanes, as they should have,” explained Ken Williams, Centennial Chapter executive. “Now we have a lot of ground to make up to support local disaster response and other services right here.” With increased expenses and the drop in giving, the Chapter is nearly $100,000 short of its current needs, despite raising more than $2 million for hurricane relief.

In the face of the attention given to Hurricane Katrina, local response can’t compete, Williams explained. The Chapter had more than 10 family fires during the first two weeks of Katrina alone, and has experienced on the busiest fall fire seasons in recent memory. Halfway through its fiscal year, the Chapter has expended most of its annual local disaster response budget.

The campaign is directed at historical Chapter donors and others who want to help. Named “We’re Here Because You Are,” the goal of the campaign is to raise $115,000 in gifts and pledges from among its best donors. This goal would meet the current budget for gifts of $1,000 or more from individuals and businesses. $40,000 has already been raised, leaving $75,000 to raise before the campaign deadline of January 31. The Chapter is also sending mail requests to thousands of donors and continuing to apply for operating grants.

The Red Cross relies on donations and grants and is not a government agency. Donations support services and programs offered by the Red Cross including health and safety courses, disaster response and planning, youth services, and international and social services including support for the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.