Agenda - 04-06-1999 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I 5 WHY PURCHASE OUR COMMUNITY CHAPTER HOUSE? Our goal is to be prepared to face any disaster with the assurance of well - trained staff and volunteers, resources for necessary supplies, an equipped facility and the support of the community. The Red Cross is often the first on the scene of a disaster and in many instances the only immediate provider of items such as food, shelter, and clothing. Whether a house fire, flash flood or a local catastrophic disaster such as Hurricane Fran, the American Red Cross is on the scene to respond to our community's needs. While we have a strong offering of programs, training opportunities and services, we want to offer more community based education programs, corporate services for training employees in CPR/FA, and staffing of additional shelters as needed. We are mandated by Congress to provide a variety of services, but we are driven to exceed expectations and meet the community needs in an efficient manner. Our chapter house helps us to meet our current and future goals. The goal of the campaign is the purchase price of the building, $630,000. With a 40% commitment to the total goal, we can obtain a short-term loan, proceed with the purchase and immediately begin saving over $4,000.00 per month over our current lease payment. Our goal would then be to pay offthe entire loan amount over a three -year period. The additional $4,000.00 per month going into our operating budget is a compelling argument for our goal of owning the property. The facility itself is in excellent condition and very efficiently meets the needs of our chapter and volunteers. If we were afforded the opportunity to build a facility, it would have many of the same characteristics as this building. However, construction of a facility would certainly cost far more than this purchase in today's market. This present facility offers sufficient square footage for current and future programs and services as well as adequate parking. Purchasing this building is a wonderful opportunity for our chapter and a positive investment for our entire community. THE FUNDING PLAN With a campaign goal of $630,000.00 it is imperative to draw upon a wide variety of community support. To this end we have established a three -phase plan to raise the necessary funds with an immediate emphasis on the 40% ($252,000.00) commitment to gain approval from the national headquarters. Phase One: Corporations and Municipalities Major gifts will be solicited from corporations and businesses in Orange County and Research Triangle Park. Many of these entities have already been approached about the campaign and are committed to support this chapter and its value to the community. The training services alone provided by this chapter save these corporations thousands of dollars each year. Whether it is First Aid/CPR or HIV/ AIDS education, the American Red Cross is the most experienced provider ofthese educational services. In addition, many of the employees of these firms reside in Orange County and will be the direct recipients of services provided by the chapter. These solicitations will be coordinated by our professional development staff; Orange County Chapter staff and members ofthe Board ofDirectors. It is our hope to obtain the 40% commitment by late January of 1999. Another sector that will be solicited as part of Phase One are the municipalities in Orange County.