The Diamond Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross may be forced to close its doors soon if funds run out, Amanda Shelton, program director for the chapter, said Wednesday.

Though no dollar amount could be given, Shelton said funds are thin. “There is definitely a possibility that this very chapter could close the doors and not be operating.” With the economy in a recession, donations are hard to come by for organizations like the Red Cross that depend on donations.

“Times are tough,” Shelton said, “and we realize that’s why our donations are down. It’s because people are having hard times, and they’re trying to pay their own bills. They don’t have the money to give. But we want everyone to know that all of us are in this together.”

With the Diamond Valley chapter having assisted several families in house fires, thin funds are becoming thinner, and at a fast rate, she said. It costs the chapter $1,000 each time the organization helps a family after a house fire. The chapter also has a disaster relief fund, which helps fund needs such as housing evacuees after hurricanes. Recently, the chapter has been forced to dip into those funds for the regular account, which goes toward helping families get back on their feet after a house fire. “This fire season hasn’t even gotten started,” Shelton said. Fire season starts in mid-winter.

Shelton said the Red Cross is always thankful for every dollar, but “we feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle ... we have great volunteers and we do have people that contribute, but it seems like every dollar that comes in, 10 more go out.”

Administration and staff, she said, “don’t make a lot of money. We run on a shoestring budget around here. We can barely support our families on what we make. We don’t do it for the money — we do it because we truly have a passion for what we do and want to help the community.” Shelton said staff does not get paid overtime, is on call 24/7 and still get paid for 40 hours a week. During times of disaster when the chapter houses evacuees, Shelton said staff and all the volunteers ate and slept at the shelter.

Shelton said the chapter receives all of its money from local donors and from teaching health and safety classes for local businesses and industries. “During this time of recession, companies are looking for ways to cut back and, of course, the first thing to go is how many people they train in our safety classes. That cuts back into our revenue. Businesses aren’t wanting classes, and we’re not teaching them, so we’re not getting that money.

“As far as receiving money from national — we don’t get any of that,” she said. The Diamond Valley Chapter does have to pay to use the Red Cross’s name. If the local chapter runs out, “that’s just it. The doors close. There’s no rescue plan. There’s no bailout plan for the Red Cross. There is a possibility that we’re not going to be here, and people should start thinking about what our county will be if we’re not here.”
Shelton said the Red Cross is not the only organization in dire straits. “Other organizations are just as passionate about what they do. What if there wasn’t a Red Cross? The community would really be at a loss. It’s something Clark County needs to start thinking about.”

She said the chapter operates on a fiscal year from July to June. “We have six and a half months left with very little funds.” On top of disaster relief and helping families in times of need, the Red Cross also faces monthly bills, rent and storage for disaster equipment. The Diamond Valley Chapter serves more than 100,000 people in a five-county jurisdiction.

Shelton noted that it is the holiday season. “It’s a time for giving and a time to think about others. I just think it’s time to start thinking about all these agencies like us, choose one and maybe make a small contribution.”

To donate to the Red Cross, mail a check to P.O. Box 1156, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or take it to the Diamond Valley Chapter office located at 405 S. Fifth St., in downtown Arkadelphia.

On an occasional basis, the Daily Siftings Herald will publish a series of stories on how the recession is affecting local non-profit or charitable organizations.