Red Cross receives help from community

Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross Executive Director Whendi Martin, left, and board members Mallory Allen, Mike Cheney, and Melissa Tatro, right, accept a donation of $253.07 from Winfield Scott Elementary students Jesse Jones, fourth grade, and Emilee Cotter, fifth grade. Jones and Cotter are members of the Winfield Scott Elementary Leadership Club which sold red crosses to their fellow students to raise the money for Haiti relief efforts. (MIchael Pommier/Tribune) [Click to enlarge]

As the Haitian people continue to recover the damage cause by the Jan. 12 earthquake, many local citizens are doing their part to help.

According to Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross Executive Director Whendi Martin, residents in the Fort Scott area as well as surrounding communities have donated nearly $4,000 through the American Red Cross.

Local resident Madeline Coopers sat inside Woods Supermarket for a week and collected about $1,700 from customers entering or exiting the grocery store. In addition, the students of Winfield Scott Elementary School donated money raising $253.07 for relief efforts. Local businesses such as Pump 'N Pete's, Marsha's Deli, and RadioShack have been selling red crosses to raise money for relief efforts.

"It speaks volumes for our community," Martin said. "Everybody wants to do their part."

Although some local churches and organizations have made donations, Martin said a majority of the donations have come from individual residents who want to help. She said the Bourbon County of the American Red Cross has received donations ranging from pocket change to $500 checks.

"The bulk of the money that we've seen come in here has been individual donation," Martin said. "I think our community is always good to come to the aid of any cause."

According to Martin the American Red Cross has seen a increase in donations as a result of the ability to donate through text messaging.

"There has just been a phenomenal response to this texting donation," Martin said.

Individuals can text the word "HAITI" to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to the next cell phone bill. Martin said all cell phone companies have waived their fees so that all $10 goes to the American Red Cross.

Martin said that as of three weeks ago, the text messaging donations has brought in more than $25 million.

Martin said the American Red Cross is only accepting financial donations for relief in Haiti. She said those who wish to make a donation have several opportunities to do so. Financial donations can be delivered directly to the Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross office at 11 N. Broadway or it can be mailed to P.O. Box 286, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701. Donations can also be mailed directly to the American Red Cross National Headquarters at 21959 Network Place, Chicago Ill., 60673-1219. Martin said that those who chose to write a check need to write "Haiti Relief Efforts" in the memo line. Donations may also be made with a credit or debit card by visiting the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767)