Local agencies band together to raise funds for phone cards
Putnam County medical personnel have a special invitation to a free fish fry Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hickory Creek at Sunset.
The event is sponsored by HCS along with the Putnam County Hospital and the Putnam County Red Cross. Donations will be taken to purchase phone cards for military personnel overseas.
Evelyn Brown, marketing director at HCS, first thought of the idea and mentioned it to Jennifer Bedwell, clinic/marketing coordinator at PCH. The two women called Ginger Scott with the Putnam County Red Cross and the idea became an event.
"Evelyn thought about it because she's got heart," noted Scott.
"It seems that sometimes they get overseas and people sort of forget about them," added Bedwell.
The hospital and Red Cross will have booths and information available. The Red Cross booth will have personnel on hand to answer questions about getting and giving information about overseas personnel.
"Not everyone realizes that all emergency information from the military has to go through the Red Cross," said Scott.
Last year the local Red Cross served 13 families with debriefing information before they were deployed and served eight other families with emergency communications.
The fish fry includes the entrée, plus sides, dessert and drink. Donations will be accepted.
"We'll take all the money and divide it up between the number of names the National Guard gives to us and buy phone cards. We understand it is really expensive to call home from over there and this will help make it a little easier," said Brown.
Invitations are being sent to all medical offices. RSVPs should be made by Sept. 9 to Brown at 653-3143.