Red Cross mobilizes locally to aid Haiti

Debbie Blank

Assistant Editor

The plight of Haitians is on the mind of big-hearted Charlie Israel, who heads up American Red Cross chapters in Ripley and Franklin counties.

When the Batesville man heard about last week’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake, he said, “I knew it was bad because Haiti is one of the poorest countries.” As with all disasters, the victims were random. “They never did anything to harm anybody. They just wanted to exist.”

Of course, Israel is also concerned about Americans who happened to be in Haiti on mission trips Jan. 12 when the quake occurred and are now dead, injured or missing. “They go to help them (the country’s residents) help themselves. It’s sad for mission people to get hurt like this.”

So Israel did what he always does, figured out ways he and other citizens can help.

A bucket brigade collecting funds for the Red Cross to use in Haiti to provide necessities takes place Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Walnut and Boehringer intersection in Batesville. Money also can be contributed in the Batesville Kroger lobby that day from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for both efforts. Persons may reach Israel at 934-4867.

Red Cross helpers in the Franklin County chapter already passed buckets Jan. 16 in Brookville and Connersville, he reports.

Tax-deductible checks made payable to American Red Cross and marked Haiti disaster may be dropped off at any Friendship State Bank, including the one in Batesville. “They can even use the drive-thru,” Israel points out. Churches, communities, schools and other groups collecting dollars and coins for the relief effort also can bring donations to the banks, where Red Cross workers will pick them up.

Hill-Rom Co. will provide matching funds to what employees are contributing there, Israel said, “and I’m hoping other companies will do the same.”

The longtime rescuer also worries about what could happen if an earthquake or other disaster of that scope happens here.

Southeastern Indiana YMCA would be a great shelter because of its spaces. “They could take on 2,000 people out there,” he observes. The challenge is getting electricity if an ice storm or other catastrophe knocks out Batesville’s lines. A backup generator for the facility is estimated to cost $120,000, according to the Red Cross leader. “I’m still after some grants” after getting turned down a few times.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

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