Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Local Red Cross considering merger with Asheville chapter

By Rose Hooper
Blood is not the only thing in short supply at Jackson County's Chapter of the American Red Cross. So are volunteers.

But it's not just a local need, or even one unique to the Red Cross. Nationally, the American Red Cross is experiencing a crunch in donations (both blood and money) and volunteerism. Other non-profits relying on donations and volunteering are feeling the same crunch.

"What we are seeing is not something that just happened overnight," said Cindy Allison, chairman of the local Red Cross board. "The change occurred gradually as people have gotten busier and busier.

"Many people are working two jobs to make ends meet... or working extended hours just to keep up with the increasing workload. Many of our retirees work in part-time jobs. This doesn't leave these people with leisure hours to volunteer."

Since Jackson's situation has become so critical, the local Red Cross chapter plans to meet Tuesday, May 23, to vote on whether or not to merge with the Asheville chapter.

"Nationally, a lot of Red Cross chapters have merged to pool resources, and in the eastern part of our state we've seen several of those mergers, but not too many in our area," said Allison.

"The Asheville chapter - Mountain Area American Red Cross - covers much of Western North Carolina," she said. "That's why we're looking at a merger with them." Haywood County operates independently.

Already Asheville chapter members have met and voted to take in Jackson, if Jackson decides to join.

"If we do merge, we'd be the Jackson County branch. We don't want to lose our name or identity or get lost in a big organization," Allison stressed. "Right now we are still exploring our options and deciding how to function as effectively as possible."

Even if Jackson members decide to merge, local monies would still need to be raised to provide localized personal service. Two of the biggest misconceptions, Allison pointed out, are that the Red Cross is government funded - it's not; and that the national organization keeps the local chapter going - it doesn't.

"Each community must raise funds to support itself," she said. "Sure, we share in times of disaster like Floyd. But to provide basic local services like helping a family whose home has been destroyed by fire, or bringing someone in the military home during a medical emergency, we have to raise those funds ourself."

The Red Cross does not charge for any of its services. While the local chapter is not "broke," director Katherine Crain said they are spending more money than they are taking in.

Whether or not Jackson merges with Asheville, local volunteers and donations will still be needed - that's not going to change.

"Because of our limited resources, we've not been able to mount a large scale campaign, and we really need to," Allison said.

Volunteers are needed to chair a fund-raising drive, as well as a volunteer recruitment drive and blood drives. "All we want is time, money and blood," Allison said.

"We know there are new folks moving into our community. We just haven't had the resources to reach out to them. But if any of them would like to volunteer, we'd welcome them with open arms. Just stop by our office at the end of town, or call 586-2019."

Jackson County has operated a Red Cross chapter for 82 years.

"Although we don't have any kind of complete records, I'm sure there's been tough times like now, but we've always managed to survive.

"The general public sees a duck swimming above water, calm as can be, but underneath, we are paddling like crazy," Allison said, describing the seriousness of the situation.

"Even if we merge," said Crain who will be leaving to become a full-time mom, "it will be a positive move, not a negative one, because Jackson will have increased resources."

Back to Archive: 05/18/00.