Every year, the Central Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross designates a week in which we hold specific activities and events to raise money for local families affected by disaster. This year, January 31st through February 5th, was "Save-A-Family" week. In early January, we placed the call to action to our volunteers, and the response we received was phenomenal with over 200 Red Cross volunteers assisting us throughout the week.
We kicked off the week on Wednesday with a telethon held on KSEE 24, a proud sponsor of the Red Cross. Board Members, Volunteers, Instructors and Red Cross Employees manned the phones for over 12 hours collecting donations and providing insight to what it takes to be a member of the Red Cross Army.
Thursday, with the help of the Richter Center at California State University, Fresno and the Student Nursing Association of Fresno City College, we hit the streets on two corners here in Fresno with red buckets in hand collecting donations. The response we received from the public was beyond amazing and overall we brought in more money than we had ever brought in before! I am sure having sorority girls and the Fresno Monsters out on the corners didn't hurt our odds either!
Saturday night, with the help of Fresno State Athletics we attended the Basketball Game where the Bulldogs took on Louisiana Tech. With over 50 volunteers, Timeout, and Dr. Welty we took over the Save Mart Center as volunteers traveled through each aisle of the arena collecting donations.
Overall, the week was a success and the funds we received exceeded our expectations. The spirit of a community could not be broken despite grueling economic times. The compassion of the Central Valley can overcome it all when we pull together for the sake of humanity. Disaster never takes a day off, and we at the Red Cross don't either! You too can still do you part. Donate today at www.arccentralvalley.org and change a life, starting with your own!
