SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 ISSUE
Watauga Red Cross Chapter Welcomes New Executive Director
For those who wish to become involved in the Watauga County Chapter of the Red Cross, there are multiple ways to help, including volunteering for the Disaster Action Team, donating blood or participating in the Run for the Red marathon and half marathon Saturday, September 18.Katy Sulfridge and her husband Luke arrived in Mississippi on September 3, 2005, faced with the daunting task of Hurricane Katrina relief. The storm’s aftermath left a dire need for shelter, food, financial assistance, physical and mental health services for those affected by the disaster.
“After Hurricane Katrina came through in 2005, we wanted to see what we could do to help,” Sulfridge said. “We took a week’s worth of training…and received a lot of experience right off the bat.”
Now—almost exactly five years later—Sulfridge continues to work in disaster relief, but this time as the executive director of the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross in downtown Boone.
Sulfridge succeeded former executive director Sonny Sweet, who retired June 30 of this year after serving 15 years in the position. Her first day was July 28, and after a month on the job, she is adapting to her new role and planning out her first year.
“I’m getting settled in the position and am getting to know the volunteers and the community,” she said. “We like it here. The scenery is amazing, and everyone is so friendly. I can see us sticking around.”
The biggest challenges Sulfridge and the chapter faces, in her opinion, are learning how to fundraise in the current economy and keeping volunteers interested. However, she is optimistic after seeing what she has to start with in Watauga County.
“Everyone has been really supportive,” she said. “We have a good volunteer base and a frequent monetary base coming in.”
With so much community support, the Watauga Chapter of the Red Cross has big plans for the coming year—including increasing the volunteer base and branching out on ASU’s campus with a Red Cross Club. The club, led by efforts from ASU students Mary Elizabeth Robertson and Sarah Arthur, is still in the planning stages and is currently seeking approval from the university to be recognized as an official organization on campus. Robertson said a meeting will take place this week with university officials where hopefully that approval will be granted.
For other community members who wish to become involved, there are many opportunities to volunteer on a local level. A Disaster Action Team (DAT) interest meeting was held earlier this week for those who want to provide immediate relief to those affected by disasters such as house or apartment fires. Last year, local DAT volunteers responded to 16 calls in the area, 10 of which were fires, where they made the initial first contact with people affected and determined what the initial needs were.
Additional meetings are planned for September, and those interested in becoming part of the team can contact the Watauga Chapter for times and more information.
There are also multiple opportunities to donate blood on the local level, as the Red Cross is currently in a shortage of all blood types nationwide.
“Summertime tends to get pretty low, but we are gearing back up for fall,” Sulfridge said.
According to a press release from the Carolinas Blood Services Region, the Red Cross has seen approximately 13 percent fewer donors than expected, and while all blood types are needed, there is a dire need for those with type O negative blood because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type. More information on upcoming Red Cross blood drives in this area is included in the sidebar with this story.
Other ways to support the Red Cross include running in the inaugural Run for the Red Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, September 18, in Valle Crucis. Both the marathon and half marathon will begin at Valle Crucis Elementary School at 7:00 and 7:30 a.m., respectively. For those who register before Saturday, September 11, the cost of the marathon will be $67.50 and the cost of the half marathon will be $47.50. Proceeds support the Watauga Chapter.
For more information on the Watauga Red Cross or volunteering, call 828-264-8226 or click to www.wataugaredcross.com.
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