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ANDALUSIA, Ala. — With summertime here and hurricane season upon us, the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross is kicking off its new Summer Disaster Campaign: The $50 Challenge.
This campaign seeks to get every business and individual that can in Covington County to donate $50 this summer to the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross so chapter workers and volunteers can continue to prepare for and respond to whatever disaster comes our way.
“Summer disasters are typically associated with hurricanes,” says Jeffery Biggs, executive director of the Covington County Chapter. “Those are the big ones, the ones everyone notices. What people don’t realize is that during the summer, house fires continue, floods happen, and people still need help.
“You can help! Your business can help! When you donate $50 to the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross, we can provide food for four people for a week to eat, the means to get new clothing, and so much more,” Biggs continues. “The Red Cross can also get the supplies needed to take care of our communities when a major disaster strikes. If everyone gave just a little, we could do so much in our community.”
The Summer Disaster Campaign: The $50 Challenge is tax deductible as allowed by law, and all proceeds stay right here in the local communities.
“Please give,” Biggs said. “I understand these are difficult economic times for many, but every dollar helps. Think about this – the next disaster could happen to you, and it could happen at any time. Won’t it be comforting to know that someone will be there to help you start picking up the pieces and rebuilding your life?”
There’s only one week left to get your tickets early to the 3rd Annual Taste of Covington County! Tickets are on sale now at the C
ovington County Red Cross office in Andalusia, from any board member, and at Superior Bank in Andalusia and Opp. This year’s Taste of Covington County is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20 at the Kiwanis Community Center in Andalusia.
Tickets are only $10 each, or 4 tickets for $35. Large group discounts are also available in advance. Tickets will be on sale next Monday at the Kiwanis Building the day of the event.
For more information, call 334-428-2680.
As rain continued to fall in south Alabama, the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross continued to prepare to respond in the event it was called upon to meet the emergency needs of residents.
Red Cross volunteer Kathi Kelley marks a map of Covington County of affected rivers and communities impacted by the windstorm and flood waters.
Erica and Abigail Kelley, Covington County Red Cross teen volunteers load the chapter's van with blankets and other supplies in advance of responding to residents in need during the floods.
Weather conditions are rapidly changing in and around Covington County. Please keep an eye to the sky and an ear to local weather reports in the event conditions deteriorate and additional flooding takes place. For local weather updates, log on to www.weather.com or http://www.spc.noaa.gov/.
Flooded homes, streets, parks, and rivers were the norm Saturday morning, March 28, after more than 10 inches of rain fell in Florala, Alabama and outlying areas forcing residents to flee their homes and seek shelter.
The Covington County Red Cross responded by opening a shelter for residents seeking a place to get out of the rain and rising waters.
For additional photos from disaster activities earlier in the week, visit our Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/covingtoncountyredcross/.
Covington County Red Cross worker Don Johnson surveys damage in Onycha. For additional photos, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/covingtoncountyredcross/
ANDALUSIA, Ala. - The Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross was called into action Thursday morning when a devastating wind storm – and possible tornado – ripped through the Onycha community just off of U.S. Hwy. 331 South of Opp.
Four families were displaced in the storm, with the local Red Cross stepping in to help provide recovery assistance.
“We were on scene this morning in Onycha making sure everyone was ok and taken care of,” said Jeffery Biggs, executive director of the Covington County Chapter. “One family needed emergency assistance for new clothing and shoes, while two families needed emergency shelter. One family did not require any emergency assistance, but we were able to establish contact and lend emotional support.”
When disaster strikes, such as the wind event in Onycha, the American Red Cross – and the Covington County Chapter – is able to step in and help meet the emergency needs of those affected. The services provided by the American Red Cross and its local chapters, such as the one in Covington County, are made possible through the donations received from the American public, businesses, and others.
“Donations are what make the services possible,” Biggs said. “We are raising funds now to cover the costs associated with meeting the needs of those affected in Onycha, and in the River Falls/Loango/Red Level areas also affected. Donations can be mailed to the chapter at 234 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia, AL 36420, or dropped off at the office.”
“There is never a charge for any service the Red Cross provides to victims of disaster,” Biggs said. “It is all possible thanks to the gifts of the American people, and we depend on them to make that help happen.”
Biggs added that currently more than 300 Red Cross volunteers are in North Dakota providing assistance with record flooding along the Red River near Fargo, and Red Cross volunteers and workers are on the ground in Mississippi assisting with recovery efforts due to damage caused by the same storm system that impacted Onycha earlier in the day.
“Help people affected by disasters like the Onycha windstorm, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.”
Join us on Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at the Andalusia City Hall Auditorium as we present a very special program, “Coming Home,” from Sesame Workshop.
This special program helps families, individuals, and more deal with “life after deployment.”
This program, which is appropriate for all ages, is free and features John Mayer, Queen Latifah, Elmo, Rosita, and a host of others.
Several fires in the past few weeks continue to take their toll on the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross disaster relief fund, prompting chapter officials to issue a call for donations.
“In the past few weeks the local chapter has provided more than $3,000 in assistance to families from all areas of Covington and Conecuh County,” said Jeffery Biggs, executive director of the Covington County Chapter. “Fire does not have a season – it’s year ’round, and sadly, in Covington County, fires happen frequently.”
All donations to the Covington County Chapter are kept locally, used to assist families and individuals in the Covington and Conecuh County areas. Donations are also tax deductible as allowed.
To make a financial contribution to the Covington County Chapter, mail your donation to 234 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia, AL 36420, or call 334-428-2680 for more information.
Get your tickets today to the third annual Taste of Covington County. Tickets are only $10 each, or family 4 packs are available for $35. In fact, if you’re really hungry – or wanted to treat your friends, you can get 10 or more tickets for only $8 each!
“You like to eat, don’t you,” says Jeffery Biggs, executive director of the Covington County Chapter. “We want to feed you! Buy your tickets today!”
All funds raised from the Taste of Covington County will benefit the local chapter of the Red Cross, where 91 cents of every dollar is used to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by disaster.
