When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there. This year we responded to 18 local disasters, including 16 residential fires. We helped 44 affected individuals and families with emergency food, shelter and supplies. Two Disaster Action Team (DAT) members responded to Hurrican Katrina serving with a strike team sent to Louisiana. With Hurrican Rita right behind, DAT members and community partners prepared for more evacuees. Approximately 83 persons were provided shelter in two local churches and 150 families were assisted. DAT members were sent to Sephens County and assisted the flood disaster.

Because being prepared can make your family and community safer, and sometimes minimize injury and destruction, we made 65 disaster education presentations in the community.

Health and Safety Services

From First Aid, CPR, AED, and Babysitting training to water safety instruction and HIV/AIDS prevention, American Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives. This year 1,176 individuals learned lifesaving skills through classes offered by our chapter.

International Services

The international tracing program helps local families find relatives with whom they have lost contact.

Armed Forces Emergency Services

The American Red Cross provides communication between those in the Armed Forces and their families. We have a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate a birth, death or illness. This year we provided emergency connections for 178 military families.

Blood Services

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Thanks to generous blood donors, the Red Cross collects and distributes nearly half the nation's blood supply. Over the last year, we helped run 12 blood drives, collecting 240 units of blood.

Community Services

Adult & Youth volunteers participated on Altus Air Force Base and serve Harmon, Greer, Kiowa and Jackson community events.

A Note about Volunteers

We depend on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry on our work. Wolunteers constitute 97 percent of our total workforce, serving as members of the board, instructors teaching lifesaving skills, Disaster Action Team (DAT) members, office administrators, event organizers and more.

This year, 350 volunteers made the work of the chapter possible.

2006 Report to the Community

ACFS Statement of Financial Position for the Year ending June 30, 2006

Expenses

Compensation/Benefits 37,569

Travel 176

Financial Assistance-Disaster 11,264

Supplies/Program Materials 3,199

Equipment & Maintenance 2,944

Building & Occupancy 616

Professional & Consulting fees 700

Support & other services 10,054

Chapter Assessment 9,590

Inter Red Cross Expenses (Disaster) 36,526

Total Expenses $112,638