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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-06-1999 - 10aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 6, 1999 SUBJECT: Orange County Red Cross Community Chapter House DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): 1/28/99 Letter from Laurie Norman Report Action Agenda Item No. j p PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Lockwood, Executive Director Orange County Red Cross, 942 -4862 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To receive information with regard to the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross's capital campaign to purchase its present leased headquarters, located at 101 Ephesus Church Road in Chapel Hill. BACKGROUND: The County is being asked to consider a grant to the Red Cross of $75,000 to be paid over three years. As indicated in the attached report, the purchase will create monthly savings by the elimination of the lease payments, thus allowing the Red Cross to put more funds in service provision. After the presentation by the Red Cross and discussion by the BOCC, the Manager will consider a recommendation on this request as part of the Manager's Proposed 1999 -2000 Budget. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The impact would be the amount of appropriation approved by the BOCC in the 1999 -2000 Budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and provide comment and direction as the BOCC determines to be warranted. American Red Cross January 28, 1999 Donna Dean Orange County Budget Director PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Ms. Dean: Orange County Chapter 101 Ephesus Church Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919 - 942 -4862 On behalf of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, we ask you to review the enclosed case statement. This document explains the capital campaign to purchase the building on Ephesus Church Road in Chapel Hill. I understand from Bob Lockwood that he discussed this with you last year. The Board of Directors of the Orange County Chapter has retained our firm, Gilchrist Associates, Inc. in Chapel Hill to coordinate this campaign. We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to assist with such an important community project. I am sure you are aware of what the Red Cross provides for the communities in Orange County and the impact of their many services. The monthly savings on a mortgage payment over the current lease payment will immediately infuse more dollars into their service to the community. we. ffle t]�ree If, by chance, there are additional forms that need to be submitted, please forward them to me at PO Box 4633, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Thank you for your interest in the work of the American Red Cross. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely,y, Laurie Norman Vice President, Gilchrist Associates, Inc. cc: Bob Lockwood, Executive Director, Orange County Chapter American Red Cross 3 Orange County Chapter American Red Cross Campaign to Purchase Community Chapter House Amerman Red Cross ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER 4 AMERICAN RED CROSS CAMPAIGN TO PURCHASE COMMUNITY CHAPTER HOUSE INTRODUCTION The Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross has served the needs of Orange County citizens for more than 80 years. As a partner with the public and private sectors of our community, the chapter has continued to meet the needs of an area with tremendous growth in population over the past 15 years. By mandate, we must continue to meet the needs for anticipated future growth. Last year more than 44,000 individuals (almost 40 percent of the County population) benefited in some way from a service or program provided by the American Red Cross chapter in Orange County. The services of this chapter also reach far beyond the boundaries of Orange County, providing international services, disaster relief, and armed forces emergency services. All are done without any federal or state government funding. Our capital campaign goal is to purchase the property at which the Orange County Chapter is conveniently located at 101 Ephesus Church Road in Chapel Bill. This purchase will allow us to immediately start using the monthly savings from the elimination of the lease payments to put even more back into the services we provide. The efficiency of our operation and the invaluable participation ofvolunteers allows us to devote an extememly high percentage of all funds we raise directly into serving this community. Purchasing our building will allow us to increase that efficiency. The American Red Cross is consistently ranked near the top of national agencies for efficiency in utilizing fiscal resources. In the current leased location, the chapter has the facilities to enable it to meet the growing needs of our citizens in Orange County. The facility has classrooms to offer instruction on CRP/First Aid, and Baby Sitting; the space to host blood drives each month, helping us to increase collections by 1,000 units per year; and a communications center to increase our capability to back -up or maintain emergency radio and telephone communications in the event of a disaster or power outage. Additionally, the facility has been and can be opened as a shelter for flooding victims and for evacuees in the event of a local disaster. The Chapter sponsors and hosts the National Teen AIDS Hotline, a nationally recognized toll-free service, which receives more than 1,000 calls per month from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. This building effectively meets the needs of our staff and volunteers as well as serving the needs of other community organizations such as Orange County Disablility Awareness Council, Volunteer Orange and EMS paramedics. With over 500 volunteers in Orange County, we are second only to Charlotte/Mecklenburg for having the most certified disaster relief workers in the state. Each year our chapter consistently exceeds the Standards of Excellence set by the parent organization in Washington. Remarkably, all of our services and volunteers are coordinated with a paid staff of only 5 committed individuals. The additional funds generated from owning vs. leasing will give us additional opportunities to serve the needs in Orange County. 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. I The partnership with the Towns of Chapel Kill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, along with Orange County will ideally comprise 25% of the total campaign goal. We hope to have these commitments confirmed as part of the fiscal 1999 budget process. Partnering and contributing to this campaign is a wise investment for the municipalities, as our services often provide relieffor the towns and County when disasters occur. Phase Two: Foundations As a not for profit entity, some support for purchasing the property will be available from a variety of Foundations. Once we have completed our work with businesses and municipalities, our development staff will research, write and submit the appropriate grant requests to these foundations. Phase Three: Individuals A broad -based solicitation will occur for previous donors who have contributed at or above the $500 annual level and for other individuals identified as major gift prospects. Additionally, board members of the Orange County Chapter have made a preliminary commitment of $25, 000. OPTIONS FORGIVING A variety of options are available for making a contribution to this campaign. Cash gifts may be pledged over a three -year period. Gifts of stock and/or annuities will also be accepted. Finally, individuals may choose to have their gifts placed on MasterCard or Visa. We are also prepared to discuss planned giving or charitable remainder trusts with individuals who wish to support the Red Cross with their estate. NAMING OPPORTUNITIES With 7,200 square feet in our building, there will be a variety of naming opportunities for both corporations, municipalities and individuals. The following areas have been identified for naming opportunities: Teen AIDS Hotline ($50,000) Instructional Classrooms (2) ($25,000) Conference Room/Board Room ($25,000) Executive Director's Office ($15,000) Blood Services Office ($15,000) Staff and Volunteer Offices (9) ($10,000) CONCLUSION Disaster Communications Center ($20,000) Kitchen ($15,000) Emergency Generator Equipment ($15,000) Fellowship Area ($10,000) ADA Improvements in Restrooms ($10,000) Reception Area ($15,000) This campaign is not just an opportunity to create financial savings each month. Rather, it is an opportunity to infuse additional dollars into the already extensive array of services provided by the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. It is an opportunity to allow an extremely talented staff and core of volunteers to continue their selfless service to the citizens of Orange County from an excellent facility that meets our current needs as well as future objectives. No one goes untouched by some service the American Red Cross provides every day. The American Red Cross is committed to and sucessful in making a positive difference by improving the quality of human life and enhancing self - reliance and concern for others. We urge you to be a part of this important endeavor for our local chapter and the citizens of Orange County. ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn D. Corley Todd Durham John Earnhardt Roland Giduz Peter Hallenbeck Chris Harrison Elaine Holmes Kyle Howard Jack Hudson Jeanette Jones Tom Krombach Brent Lister Betty Longiotti Denny Marcin George McCall ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER STAFF Herb Paul LaBron Reid Michael Symons Brett Tempest John R. Thompson Richard J. Van Iten Don Willhoit Col. R.H. Lockwood, USMC (Ret.), Executive Director Larry Massenburg, Director of Health and Safety Diane Ellis, Director of Emergency Services Amanda Fields, Director ofFinancial Development Eugenia Roland, Office ManagerBookeeper. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN STAFF Gilchrist Associates, Inc. Donald E. Beeson Laurie J. Norman SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER International Services Disaster Services Armed Forces Emergency Services Community Services Teen AIDS Hotline CPR/First Aid Education Health and Safety Blood Services Youth Services HIV /AIDS Education Volunteer Training