November 13, 2001
 
 

Dear Board Member:

I wanted to follow-up regarding recent Red Cross activities at our National Office.  Losing a President in the middle of the largest Fund Raising Campaign in our history was certainly not good timing.  Unfortunately, when the President is removed, it creates a vacuum, which prevents a smooth information flow to our public.  We here in Louisville have been doing a wonderful job supporting the National effort in the three Disaster locations of New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.  We have received some negative phone calls regarding the allocation of funds, however we respond positively with the facts and figures of what our organization is doing.  Presently the National Office states that these funds will be spent on “this disaster operation and the emerging needs as a result of this disaster.”  People are receptive to our answers and basically want to be reassured that their money is being used in a meaningful way.

I have just returned from the Metro United Way Breakfast where we learned that we were successful in almost achieving the full goal of $32,500,000.  The announced sum pledged to date is $32,100,000.  This is important to Red Cross because it assures our Chapter of approximately 2.5 million dollars in operational funds for our next fiscal year.  The Metro United Way provides approximately 37% of our Chapter budget.

Locally, the Red Cross has provided 45 people for 48 separate positions in the National Disaster locations (3 volunteers have returned for another assignment).  Our three Disaster Response Vehicles have returned.  We are very pleased to announce that 6 nurses trained just after September 11th were assigned to New York for service.  They have just returned.  When we conclude our Mental Health class this weekend, we will add 20 Mental Health counselors to our Disaster Services Human Resources here in Louisville.

The local Chapter of the Red Cross has just concluded a second audit.  The first was for the end of our fiscal year.  The second was for procedure regarding the “Liberty Funds.”  We are pleased to announce both audits had no exceptions.

I am enclosing a number of recent documents regarding the performance of your American Red Cross.  Please take time to peruse them.  As informed Board Members, you will be of great help to the Red Cross to get our message out.  If you have any questions regarding any of the materials, please give me a call.

Sincerely,
 
 

Douglas G. O’Donnell, Ed.D.
Manager