IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BE A HERO!

Heroes Campaign to run During March is Red Cross Month!

Newton, NJ, March 6, 2009 – This March, as the nation celebrates Red Cross Month, a group of local “Heroes” will be working hard to raise funds for the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross.  The Heroes for the American Red Cross Campaign Kick-off breakfast scheduled on March 12th will take place at the Farmstead Country Club in Lafayette.  Glen Vetrano, Sussex County Freeholder Director, is serving as Chairman of the Campaign.  Eastern Propane is the event’s major sponsor.

The Heroes Campaign runs for three weeks, ending on April 2. Heroes can raise funds in a variety of ways and may choose to work alone or to involve their school, church, employer or community group.  There is even an on-line fundraising tool available to Heroes.

One example of a Hero is Donna Wainio, owner of Homer’s Restaurant in Sparta. Ms. Wainio will have brochures and flyers about the Red Cross available to the public and will offer a “free” Italian ice in exchange for a donation that will go directly to the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Ms Wainio said she is “pleased to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that has such a long history of supporting the community”. 

For more than 90 years, volunteers with the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross have been heroes to thousands of people throughout the county, lending aid during times of disaster, supporting military families, providing blood donor services, and training citizens in lifesaving CPR and first aid skills. 

“Heroes for the American Red Cross” is a grassroots fundraising campaign where individuals, businesses and groups pledge to raise $1000 for their local Red Cross chapter. The goal for this inaugural campaign is $35,000.  These funds are needed to support vital programs and services in Sussex County.  The success of this Campaign is critical to survival of the chapter. 

“The downturn in the economy has impacted this chapter significantly.  Our modest reserves are eroding at an alarming rate,” said Pat Day, Executive Director of the Sussex County Chapter.  “We have no government funding.  The government will not bail us out.  We are not in the stimulus package.” 

“We are here for the people of Sussex County only because of the people of Sussex County.  The Heroes Campaign provides the people of Sussex County with a new - and fun – way to help their local Red Cross be here tomorrow,” Day concluded.      

It’s not too late for you, your school, your employer or your group to be a Hero! To learn more about the Heroes for the American Red Cross Campaign or to be a Hero, contact MaryAnn Maikisch at 973-579-1600. To make an on-line donation to a Hero, visit http://american.redcross.org/heroes-sussexcounty. 

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Visit the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross at www.sussexredcross.org or contact 973-579-1600.