The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County

A Helping Hand

I serve on the American Red Cross Advisory Council in Fairfield County. As chairman of the Heroes Campaign, I want to let you know how valuable the Red Cross is to our county and to ask for your help.

For the 2011-2012 year, 86 people were affected by a crisis/need in Fairfield County at a cost of over $18,000. Some of those affected may have been someone you know. A local Red Cross disaster volunteer responded to 24 home fires in Fairfield County and provided emergency assistance.

The Red Cross is NOT a government agency. It depends 100% on donations from people like you.

Of every dollar donated to the Red Cross, 91 cents is invested in humanitarian services in Fairfield County as well as across the nation. While contributions are so very important, there are other ways that you can help as well.

Donate blood at one of the Red Cross Blood Drives. The next drive will be held at First United Methodist Church on Congress Street on March 12 from 2-7 p.m. Call 635-4087 for a sign-up time or just walk-in.

Participate in the ARC Spaghetti Lunch/Dinner fundraiser to be held on Thursday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at First Church of The Nazarene, 650 9th Street, Winnsboro. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased from any Board Member, First Citizen’s Drive-through, or at the door.

Ask your church to donate a minimum of $1 per member to the Red Cross during March, American Red Cross Month. Each church in the county was sent a letter in January asking for support. (Only 11 of the 125 churches responded last year.)

Finally, make a personal donation to the Heroes Campaign. Checks should be made payable to “Fairfield County ARC” and sent to PO Box 413, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180.

I am sure that you are just like me – bombarded with requests for donations and committed to many worthy causes. Thank you for taking time to read and consider this request. We will appreciate anything that you can do to help the American Red Cross in Fairfield County.

Barbara Martin

Chairman of the ARC Heroes Campaign

Winnsboro