Roller presents Red Cross with $4K

The local chapter of the American Red Cross was one of two local organizations to benefit from $14,000 in state funds that had yet to be distributed from the state’s budget surplus grants last year.

The Red Cross received a check for $4,000 from state Sen. Steve Roller, while the Citizens for Progress Scholarship program received the balance of the funding.

Red Cross director Kathy Nesmith said the funds come at a good time, since one of the services the organization provides is aid for those who are dealing with damage and loss from fires, such as the one which recently occurred on Main Street.

‘We’re just so thankful,’ Nesmith said. ‘At a time when our fires have doubled, going on tripled, before the end of the fiscal year in July, we desperately need the money.

‘We always want to make sure we cover everyone with their immediate needs,’ Nesmith said. ‘And this will truly help.’

Nesmith says the funds will also help with an expansion in the local chapter’s area of coverage.

‘Because we have such a good, strong local chapter, our jurisdiction has been expanded and now we’re covering Van Buren County as well,’ Nesmith said. ‘And it looks like we may be expanding into DeKalb County also, so these funds are definitely needed.’

Roller said he was pleased to present the check to the Red Cross because of the wide range of services it provides, including fire and disaster aid, blood drives and water safety and swimming instruction for local children, among others.

‘What can you say about the Red Cross,’ Roller said. ‘Everybody knows what the Red Cross has done over the years, not only in our county, our state, our nation, but in the entire world.

‘Kathy came by my office a few weeks ago and said the organization could use some money,’ Roller said. ‘And then especially when she told me that she was trying to expand into Van Buren County, that gave me authority and the impetus to grant some extra funds, because that’s also in my senatorial district. We look forward to the Red Cross assistance in Van Buren County. They’re just doing a wonderful job.’

Roller said the recent spate of fires in Warren County was one of the big reasons the Red Cross was chosen to receive the funds.

‘Kathy shared with me that the county had nine fires in Warren County within a two-week period,’ Roller said, ‘and they responded to all of them. I have, fortunately, never been the victim of a fire, but I’ve had several friends and known members of the community who have. So we’re very happy at the state to assist the Red Cross, and we’re going to try to do more in the future.’