With the flowers starting to bloom, the grass starting to grow and the promise of a new beginning with spring, it’s easy to leave leftover worries from 2007 behind. But the fact is, with everything from high gas prices to a dwindling real estate values, it was a hard year for many — and that doesn’t exclude area non-profits.
The American Red Cross of Delmarva Peninsula announced on March 25 the launch of the “What If…?” Campaign, designed to raise $500,000 before June 30, 2008. This campaign is necessary for the local Red Cross to continue its operations in Delaware and in the six counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that it serves.
“We decided to do it now after seeing the first seven months of our numbers. When you look at the numbers in January, you realize for the first time in the fiscal year just how behind you are,” explained Margie Prueitt, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula.
“It is a capital campaign-like event. We are raising this in addition to our normal money and we anticipate that it is a one-time thing,” she said.
While Red Cross is mandated by Congress to provide the services it provides, it depends greatly on individual contributions for funding and, like everyone, they are now seeing how budget cuts can affect them.
“Our major sources of funding over the last year have been reduced by over 50 percent,” said Prueitt. “It is easy for people to not understand that the Red Cross is not a government agency and how dependant we are on individual contributions.”
Dana Banks, owner of the Parkway Restaurant in Bethany Beach is one of those contributors — with help from the community. Just recently, the Parkway had a night in which a percentage of the night’s proceeds went to the Red Cross — something she has done in memory of her father since his passing in September of 2005.
“Obviously, I can’t personally donate to every organization I want to, so using the restaurant as a vessel for raising money is good,” said Banks. “Hopefully, if I need it, if we need it — because we could have a flood, or hurricane or nor’easter in this area — hopefully, if we need it, that money is there.”
The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula has been an important part of life on the Delmarva Peninsula for several generations — more than 100 years, in fact. It touches hundreds of lives on the Peninsula each year when house fires, floods and military family emergencies occur. It also provides important lifesaving training that protects the community’s workplaces, homes, youth teams and playgrounds.
The community raised millions of dollars to support of the victims of national disasters such as the terrorist attacks on New York City, Hurricane Katrina, California wildfires and other disasters. However, this generosity has caused a significant reduction in the contributions directed to the local Delmarva chapter.
Funds are needed now to ensure the organization’s continued viability into 2009 and beyond. Simply put, they don’t want to imagine “what if” there was no Red Cross in this community. And Prueitt wants the community to know that the Red Cross needs financial support today if it is to survive.
To make a donation to the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, whose coverage area includes the state of Delaware, and Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties in Maryland, donate online at www.redcrossdelmarva.org or mail donations to: American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula; P.O Box 767, Wilmington, DE 19899-0767. (Write “What If..?” Emergency Campaign in the check memo.).
To answers about frequently asked questions about this campaign, visit http://www.redcrossdelmarva.org/what_if_faq.htm or go to their home page at www.redcrossdelmarva.org, and hit the “what if” button.