The local American Red Cross office located in Plymouth and serving all of Marshall County may have to close if they are unable to find donated office space before June 30. They are currently renting space at 440 E. Jefferson St., but funding has been reallocated and Marshall County will no longer be extended funds to pay for rental space.
For many years, the Red Cross was housed in a building on Garro St., but when extensive needed repairs and the cost of utilities made it impossible to stay in the facility, they moved to the Jefferson St. location.
Sue Gulley, Red Cross executive director for Northern Indiana, said the organization is making changes to regionalize efforts. She said Marshall County is one of seven counties in District II and the districts were formed to align with Homeland Security. Gulley said, “Across the country, we are closing offices that are not staffed full-time.” “We are trying to be the best stewards of our donor dollars. We are streamlining and economizing.” Gulley said.
Gulley said they have trained disasters volunteers that are contacted immediately for any emergencies. The Red Cross has set up a central dispatch center in Indianapolis where calls are forwarded to personnel and volunteers.
Loyal volunteers, Carol Arnett and Melinda Ellis, have been covering the phones and other needs for the local office. Arnett said, “We are hoping that we can keep the Marshall County offices open, but that will only happen if we can get donated office space.” Arnett, who has volunteered for the past ten years, said they need room for two desks and a printer for the office; but also need extra storage room for emergency equipment such as cots and blankets. She said, “We can split up the office and storage if necessary.”
Because disasters can happen day or night, Ellis said they need space that has a private entrance that they can access 24/7. They do have a trailer that they use to store and transport about 50 cots and blankets. However, according to Arnett, that would not be enough in a larger emergency.
Arnett pointed to the disasters that the local Red Cross volunteers responded to quickly in the last few years. She said they set up emergency shelters during the two flooding incidents in Plymouth and had emergency services within 40 minutes when there was a major fire on Liberty Street.
Gulley said they will continue to hold blood service collections in Marshall County. She said since July, they have collected 1,600 pints of blood. Every pint of blood can potentially save three lives. Additionally they will have Home Fire Preparedness efforts. Since July, seven Marshall County families were serviced in an emergency.
Other services offered through the Red Cross concern helping those in the armed forces. If there is a need for a member of the armed forces to have an emergency leave home, the Red Cross is the organization that Communicates with military personnel.
Marshall County American Red Cross was first chartered on May 25, 1917.
Those wanting Health and Safety training can find locations that are offering classes by accessing Redcross.org online.
Carol Anders Correspondent
