HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-1999 - 5cORANGE 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.
As we observe American Red Cross Month, the attached proclamation will recognize this vital
organization and all that it has accomplished, while looking forward with hope to the new century. While
we can never know the challenges we may face in the future, whether as individuals or as a community,
we do know that the Orange County Red Cross will continue to serve, enabling us to meet those
challenges and to recover from emergencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation and
authorize the Chair to sign it.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION ON THE OBSERVANCE OF AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH
March, 1999
WHEREAS, the Orange County American Red Cross has provided humanitarian relief for all those in
need in an impartial and neutral manner; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County American Red Cross has deserved recognition for increasing the
participation of volunteers throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County American Red Cross is commended for:
• Establishing the first and only nationwide Teen AIDS Hotline service staffed by teens for teens and,
• Providing health and safety services throughout the community regardless of individual status; and
• Implementing vital disaster services and emergency communication at a moment's notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners does
hereby acknowledge the Orange County American Red Cross for their commitment and dedicated efforts
toward serving the citizens of Orange County, and does hereby commend to the citizens the observance of
March 1999 as "American Red Cross Month".
This the 16th day of March, 1999.
C ~.
Alice Gordon, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners