Local Red Cross chapter ready to help
By BENJAMIN SHARP news@leader-news.com

From providing hotel rooms for fire victims to helping local families communicate with soldiers stationed overseas, the American Red Cross is having a positive impact right here in Wharton County.

Yet most area residents don't know there's a local office, says Pat Curry, executive director of the Red Cross' Rio Colorado Chapter, which serves Wharton, Colorado, Matagorda and Fayette counties.

People in El Campo who are in need of Red Cross services are still trying to contact Houston area chapters, Curry said.

The Wharton office has been in existence for three years. It's housed next door to the Wharton County Emergency Management Office on Burleson Street in Wharton.

Though the office is not fully staffed, Curry said efforts are ongoing to try and establish a more regular schedule. Having full-time volunteers operate the office "would be a goal," she said.

"That's going to take a lot of development," she added.

And more volunteers. Volunteers are at the heart of the Red Cross, doing everything from coordinating with local responders to visiting victims at emergency scenes to setting up shelters.

There's currently around 40 volunteers in the Wharton area. The majority, though, are considered "non-active," being put into action only when a disaster occurs. About 10 others are "active," conducting training, health and safety programs and heading Disaster Action Teams.

The DATs are one of the most critical components of Red Cross chapters. They respond directly to emergency scenes - such as house fires - to provide immediate comfort, food and shelter.

"We're looking to develop the local DAT. We're down to just two people in the whole county responding to a disaster," said Laura Beach, director of emergency services for the Rio Colorado Chapter.

The teams utilize an Emergency Response Vehicle when they go into the field. ERVs are basically ambulances that have been retrofitted to serve as a mobile food and shelter units.

The local chapter is planning several fundraisers this coming year. A "Heroes Campaign" is planned for May to raise awareness and funds for the local effort. The goal is to raise $10,000.

Stephanie Merritt, services director of the Rio Colorado Chapter, said money raised locally stays here to benefit area residents and to keep the doors open on the Wharton office, which is provided to the Red Cross by Wharton County.

She urged anyone who needs assistance to contact the office at 531-1128.