01/26/11 The Holmes County Chapter of the American Red Cross responds immediately to those in need
Denice Rovira Hazlett
January 26, 2011
288
Patricia and Larry Lang were spending some rare downtime on a recent snow day doing what many do in their spare moments, exploring the social networking site, Facebook.
We were invited to be a part of it, so we decided to join.
Within a few days, Patricia Lang had almost 250 Facebook friends.
I like connecting with people, Lang said, but I dont play the games.
And for good reason. Patricia Lang and her husband Larry are busy people. In addition to their work with the Farm Bureau, 4-H, and the Division of Wildlife, the Langs have served as the Executive and Assistant Executive Directors for the Holmes County Chapter of the American Red Cross for 17 years.
I became involved while working at the fire department as clerk, EMT and firefighter. At the time, the Red Cross offices were in the District 1 station. The former director asked if we could help, and I said yes.
When the Langs became directors in 1993, they found the chapter in financial danger and lacking necessary national requirements. They were faced with losing the chapter, as were others across the country.
I personally paid the director's last paycheck because there were no monies available. We then developed the plans required to stay open.
Not all Red Cross chapters were so fortunate. At that time, there were 3,700 chapters in the United States. Today, due to restructuring and lack of funding, there are 644.
To address the financial need, Larry Lang proposed a benefit auction which, in 1994, earned $2,000. Last year, the auction raised $42,000. The Langs hope the success will continue at this years auction on June 25 at the Mt. Hope auction barn.
Its a full day, with homemade ice cream, barbecued chicken, quilt and furniture auctions. There is something for everyone.
The auction is the chapters main source of funds for disaster services, which depends solely on the community for their operating costs. In the past, chapters could receive funds from national headquarters. This is no longer true.
It puts a burden on our local businesses, churches and residents to keep the Red Cross going.
During this fiscal year, the chapters disaster fund has been greatly depleted due to the number of fires, beginning when last summers Glenwood Apartments blaze displaced seven families. Since then, the chapter has served 62 clients through first aid and comfort kits, emergency housing and relocation services, which provide clients with three nights of temporary housing, one months rent and security deposit for relocation as well as assistance with replacing furniture and other necessities that have been destroyed, such as eyewear and dentures.
In one fire, we replaced over $700 in prescription medications and medical supplies. It can add up.
One client, who asked to remain anonymous, called the Red Crosss response to their recent house fire unreal.
They have helped tremendously. I needed new glasses and had them the same day. They provided a place for us to stay, clothing, everything we needed, immediately.
The client said he didnt know what he would have done without the Red Cross.
We would have been in a really bad place with nowhere to stay, no idea how to find a place. They got us into a hotel immediately and helped us find housing. Theyre a great organization.
In addition to classes, military services, and their award-winning apheresis program, which provides platelets for chemotherapy and trauma patients, the chapter has distributed $16,000 this year in disaster services alone
The fires have been one after another, said Patricia Lang. We never know when and if theyre going to stop.
Neither do they know when and if funding will arrive.
Today, I received a check from an Amish church, said Lang, who shared that half of their board members are Amish. If funds get too low, well have to come up with other ways to raise donations.
Finding funding is just one of many responsibilities the Langs share. Aside from board meetings, responding to disaster situations and presenting classes, the Langs spend a large portion of their days answering phones and completing necessary paperwork. When asked how many hours these tasks require, Patricia Lang laughed.
Thats a good question. Were supposed to be part time, but we often put in more than 40 hours per week.
But Patricia Lang hasnt quit her day job as bus driver for West Holmes schools. Thats because the Langs receive no compensation as directors of the Holmes County Red Cross. They are both volunteers.
We do this work because were helping people, Patricia Lang said, her husband Larry at her side. When a client is standing alone staring at what theyve lost, saying they dont even know where to start, I say Thats what were here for. Were here to help you get started again. Larry and I are in the community helping people together, and thats our reward.
Given that kind of attitude, its no surprise that the Langs are adding more friends, Facebook and otherwise, every day.
(Suggestion: Could we include a sidebar with information on how to donate to the Holmes County chapter of the Red Cross, emphasizing that funds given to Holmes County stay in Holmes County so that it stands out prominently from the article? If not, I'd like to include that information within the body of the article.)
