Although its doors aren’t open a full 40 hour workweek, the Red Cross in Brownwood is still an active part in helping people recover from disasters of all kinds.
In October of 2011, the Pecan Valley and the Concho Valley Chapters of the American Red Cross merged to form the larger regional chapter with more continuity and providing more resources to each of its now 13 counties served. According to the West Central Texas Chapter Executive Director Janet Karcher, this merger, along with many others nationwide, was an effort by the Red Cross to focus more on becoming one. By such mergers, smaller offices now have access to more costly things such as marketing, emergency response vehicles and service assistance from other counties, she explained. The call to help is now a regional effort rather than an office focusing on just what was within its own jurisdiction, said Karcher.
The Brown County area still has a local office and a local advisory board. This board is composed of members Jeannette Chesser, Brent Bush, Buddy Preston, Marian Deans, and Leana Land and is represented on the West Central Texas Chapter Board by Bill Blagg. Karcher stated that they hope more volunteers will sign up and serve on the local advisory board eventually, as it continues to be one of the top branch offices in the region.“We are looking to add more volunteers to the advisory board in Brownwood,” said Karcher. “We are always recruiting volunteers; we can never have enough volunteers.”
Karcher stated that the name change was due to the fact that the neither of the names of local chapters of the Pecan Valley and Concho Valley fit the region as a whole. West Central Texas Chapter of the Red Cross represents Brown, Comanche, San Saba, Mills, Coleman, McCullough, Schleicher, Tom Green, Reagan, Irion, Sterling, Coke and Concho counties. Because of the large geography covered by the newly formed chapter, Karcher said that the branch offices of Brown and San Angelo will still service counties closest to them to be effective, but in larger disaster situations, volunteers will come from offices throughout the chapter.
Karcher explained the history of the Red Cross, that it was started as a support organization for the military. All military communication involving death, illness or births goes through the Red Cross. She stated that the Red Cross also provides financial resources to military members who may receive approval for leave but that have no money to return home and that the Red Cross is instrumental in helping families communicate with their loved ones in the military when they cannot get a message through to their family member who is deployed.
Stateside, the Red Cross helps victims of natural disasters, fire and more with emergency services that help with immediate needs. These services include food, shelter, replacing life saving medications, and clothing.
Karcher stated that no one knows when they will need assistance and that disasters can strike at any time. That is when the Red Cross rises up and serves their community.
“No one is immune from disaster. You cannot predict it. You can prepare for it, but we all take it for granted,” said Karcher.
The Brownwood office of the American Red Cross may be reached by calling 325-646-0196. To donate or volunteer, click here.
