I am sure that you have heard the statement, “when a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there.”

Have you ever wondered what that means to our area? This past year our local Adams County Red Cross responded to 46 local disasters, including 45 residential fires.

We helped 145 affected individuals and families with emergency food, shelter and supplies. We paid $22,439.13 to assist these individuals and their families in a time of great need. These are your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.

Your local Adams County Red Cross does more than help those in a time of need. This past year we also trained 100 individuals to be prepared in the event of a disaster by conducting 11 disaster training classes. In addition to these classes, we also trained 425 individuals in lifesaving skills during one of the 81 classes we taught. From first aid, CPR/AED, Preventing Disease Transmission, Family Care Giving and Babysitter training to life guarding, your Adams County American Red Cross programs have helped people lead safer and healthier lives.

During this past year, your local Adams County American Red Cross provided communication between members in the Armed Forces and their families. We are a part of a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate a birth, death or illness. We provided emergency connections for 68 military families.

The most amazing story behind these accomplishments is that they were done primarily using volunteers.

The Adams County Red Cross depends on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry on our work. Volunteers constitute 97 percent of our total workforce, serving as members of the board, instructors teaching lifesaving skills, disaster action team members, office administrators, event organizers and more. This past year, 25 volunteers made the work of the

Chapter possible by contributing 2,164 hours.

Your local Adams County Red Cross exists to provide program services to the residences of Adams County, Amite County, Jefferson County and Wilkinson County.

We cannot do this work alone. If you would like to help by volunteering or to make a tax deductible contribution, please feel free to contact the Adams County Chapter at 601-442-3656, 211 N. Union St. Natchez, MS 39120, e-mail redcross-adamsco@cableon.net or Web site www.adamscountyredcross.org.

Angie Brown is the chapter manager of the Adams County Red Cross.