Goal is $60,000

By Peggy Scott, as published in the Jefferson County Leader .

The American Red Cross hopes to raise $60,000 to recoup costs of a recent renovation project at the Jefferson County Service Center, 3880 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.

Of the $60,000 fundraising goal, $18,400 will be spent on direct emergency assistance for local families, said Omar Ruiz, Jefferson County Service Center manager.

"It's a two-part capital campaign," Ruiz said.

The renovations included:

• Modifications and new classroom space: $31,500
• New tables for classrooms: $900
• Chairs: $1,200
• Washer and dryer: $1,100
• Outdoor building signs: $4,000
• Indoor building signs: $900
• Other furniture: $2,000

Ruiz said the Red Cross moved into the building at 3880 Jeffco Blvd. in 1995.

"That was the last time it was updated," Ruiz said. "It was time to start redoing our office."

He said the space needed to be updated and rearranged to better fit the current needs of the Red Cross.

For example, Ruiz said more classroom space was needed to accommodate students in Red Cross classes and meetings. A loading dock was revamped to allow emergency supplies to be more easily loaded and unloaded. A storage area was constructed, freeing up space for classes.

"The work is about 99 percent done," Ruiz said. "We have a few aesthetic things that need to be done."

Stephen Hall, spokesman for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, said the Red Cross organization decided the project was so important that work started before the money was raised.

"We are counting on the community to help us recoup those costs," Hall said. "We moved forward trusting that the community will come forward."

Hall said Jefferson County has supported Red Cross efforts over the years.

In return, he said, the Red Cross has offered services to families, schools, businesses and organizations.

"We want to remind people that the Red Cross is not a government agency. We depend on donations and volunteers to do the work we do," Hall said.

Last year, the Red Cross responded to 67 house fires in Jefferson County, providing emergency care to 146 individuals.

In addition, Red Cross teams helped 625 emergency response personnel, including firefighters and law enforcement officers with on-scene food and drinks and cooling stations.

The Jefferson County Red Cross provided $15,729 to victims of disasters for things like food, clothing and temporary housing. The chapter also provided more than $55,000 in financial assistance to people who needed help with rent, mortgage payments and utility payments.

This year, 8,000 Jefferson County residents were trained in disaster education. That number is up from 5,100 people who were trained.

Hall said the services provided by the Red Cross are possible because of volunteers and donations.

The remodeling project started in March, and letters were sent out to businesses and individuals at that time. A second round of fundraising letters was mailed in June.

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