Annual Red Cross chili supper sees another success

Monday, March 1, 2010
Greencastle Fire Department's Sparky entertained kids and adults alike Friday night at the Putnam County Red Cross Chili Dinner.

GREENCASTLE--The National Guard Armory was packed Friday night for the Wabash Valley Red Cross Chili dinner. The annual event is a fundraiser for the organization and a popular night out for many people.

A silent auction, information booths, children's activity center, music and plenty of great food are all part of the evening.

Part of the money raised by the Red Cross supports their program to respond to home fires in the county.

"Our chapter responds to three times the number of home fires than the other chapters in our peer group," explained Red Cross Board member Ginger Scott. "Last year Putnam County volunteers responded to eight home fires bringing food, shelter, comfort and hope to 30 residents."

That is not all the Red Cross here does. They received a grant this year to increase their outreach to local National Guard and Reserve and their families to expand their support system during the deployment of loved ones.

"Last year the American Red Cross connected eight local military families in crisis through our military and family emergency messaging service," said Scott.

The chili dinner is one of several fundraising efforts by the local Red Cross Chapter who received the Paul M Thrift Excellence in Fundraising Award in 2009. They raised the most money for the chapter's annual Save the Day Campaign.

The team included Ginger Scott, Kathie Skeel, Ken Heeke, Darren Hughes, Rhonda Louderback and Chastity Woods.

David English presents JoAnn Linn with a special coin for going to three of the five local restaurants serving chili for the fundraiser this week.

The chapter has earned the "Highly Performing Chapter" rating from the National Office in 2007 and 2008. Only 38 chapters out of 720 nationwide achieved this rating in 2008.

When Toyota donated 10 Tundra trucks to the American Red Cross, the local chapter was chosen as one of the 38 out of 720 chapters to receive one of the trucks.

March is Red Cross month and a great time to get involved with the organization by signing up for a CPR, first aid, babysitting, pet first aid or other Red Cross course, giving a financial gift or becoming a volunteer.

Several local organizations contribute to the success of the event every year. The Waters of Greencastle provides the chili and cornbread, Delta Theta Tau makes all the desserts, and the Putnam Inn furnishes drinks.

Local disc jockey Mike Welsh of Sounds Unlimited donated his time and musical talents to entertain folks for the evening. Olivia Humphreys sang the national anthem and Boy Scout Troop 99 presented the colors of the flag.

Local restaurants Almost Home, Treasures on the Square, Chief's, Bert and Betty's and Mama Nunz all helped raise funds for the Red Cross in the week prior to the chili dinner by offering chili dinners with the profits going to the Red Cross.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Red Cross, volunteer or get more information about the organization can call Kathy Skeel at 653-6616.

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