MOBILE, Ala., May 6, 2011 — The Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross has been notified by the United Way of Southwest Alabama that it’s funding allocation for this year will be cut by 56%, a reduction of over $170,000. Funds from United Way help provide the resources that enable the Red Cross to train volunteers to be prepared to respond to disasters, like the devastating tornados that struck Alabama just last week. These funds are also used to provide disaster education for citizens, and allow the chapter to respond to disasters from single family fires to floods, tornadoes, or hurricanes. The cut will also eliminate United Way funding of Red Cross emergency services to military members and their families.
This cut is retroactive to January 1, 2011, and funds already received from the United Way will be counted against the annual allocation for the Alabama Gulf Coast chapter. Consequently, for the remaining seven months of the year the Mobile Red Cross will only receive $50,894.95; as compared to its 2010 allocation of $175,730 in the same time period.
Disaster services for people in need cannot be delayed, and the Red Cross has always been there to provide assistance without reimbursement for direct services. To do so, we must have resources in advance of disasters in order to be able to plan and prepare for them; this budget cut will dramatically impact the Red Cross’ ability to plan, prepare for, and respond to all levels of disasters in Mobile County.
“As a result of this cut, the Red Cross will be approaching local governments, corporations, and individuals for major gifts to provide these essential safety net services in Mobile County” said Leisle Mims, Executive Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross. Mims added “We hope to gain new contributions to make up for the lost funds which would have provided vital disaster relief services as well as services to our military families.”
“United Way embarked on a new allocations process in which historical allocations and an agency’s previous performance were not considered in the allocation process. Agencies applied for funding under the four Community Building Block categories of Education, Health Services, Financial Stability, and Essential Services. Red Cross applied for funding under Essential Services. It is our understanding that due to campaign short falls the United Way was unable to fund all the requests under the Essential Services category; however, some agencies that applied for funding in other categories received increases or level funding from the United Way where the Red Cross received a funding cut of $170,000,” said Mims.
“We believe that one of the contributing factors to this decision includes the roll out of United Way’s new allocations process. This process did not include the opportunity for the allocations committee to meet with the agencies, ask questions, and understand the full impact of agency programs, community resources, and the importance of funding programs that provide essential services for a highly disaster prone coastal community,” said Bob Peter, Red Cross Chapter Board Chairman.
“These unanticipated cuts have created a funding crisis for Red Cross services in Mobile County. Red Cross donors who have traditionally supported the local Red Cross services are redirecting their generous donations to the horrible devastation in north Alabama” said Peter. “Nonetheless,” he added, “we are grateful for the allocation that was given to the Red Cross and we are grateful to all United Ways and United Funds in our region who understand the essential nature of Red Cross services and continue to fund those these critical services at a functional level.”
As a community partner and a United Way and United Fund partner agency in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, and West Escambia Counties we hope that people will continue to donate to the United Way and to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund to support our statewide disasters, but please consider the strength and continuity of Red Cross services right here in Mobile County and consider a donation to the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter. Your donations to the Red Cross directly are more important than ever to ensure that the Red Cross can continue to fulfill its mission of helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
All American Red Cross disaster service is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of single family fires and other disasters each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter by calling (251) 544-6100 or mailing to P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633. For more information about your local American Red Cross, log on to www.redcrossalcoast.org.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter:
Since 1917, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter has been upholding the American Red Cross mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, and West Escambia Counties. The American Red Cross is a volunteer organization supported by the donations of the people in our community. The American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter is a United Way Partner Agency. Verizon Wireless is the official wireless provider for the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter.