Agenda - 03-16-1999 - 5c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 16, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. 5_ C SUBJECT: Proclamation -American Red Cross Month DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/l~ BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/l~ ATTACHMENT(S): Proclamation INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Lockwood, Executive Director, Orange County Chapter, 942-4862 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To adopt a proclamation recognizing American Red Cross Month and the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross. BACKGROUND: For 82 yeazs, the Orange County American Red Cross has served as a beacon of hope to those in -need. Reaching out to victims of disaster, Orange County Red Cross volunteers have provided shelter, food, and other essential services to relieve the sufferings of families and help people begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Today over 300 dedicated men, women, and youth volunteer under the banner of the Orange County American Red Cross, upholding this extraordinary tradition of service and assisting people across not only our county, but also across our nation and around the world to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The strength and scope of the natural disasters that occurred during 1998 made this past yeaz among the most devastating in recent history. Floods, tornadoes, winter storms, and wildfires ravaged communities across the nation. In total, the Orange County Red Cross responded to more than 50 disasters in 1998. Whether it was a fire that destroyed a family's home or a hurricane that destroyed an entire region, the Orange County Red Cross reacted immediately with compassion, generosity, and humanity. The Orange County Red Cross does more than cope with emergencies. During the past yeaz, volunteers collected and processed nearly 7,000 units of lifesaving blood for hospitals and educated over 6,000 Orange County citizens through health and safety courses. The Orange County Red Cross also reached out to the men and women of our Armed Forces, their families, and our veterans -helping our military personnel keep in touch with home during family emergencies, offering confidential counseling and other support services, and assisting veterans in obtaining their benefits. In the past yeaz alone, the Orange County Red Cross provided individual services to more than 42,000 local citizens.