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VitalLife ID™ in the news...
Richmond Register, January 12, 2008
Red Cross calls on community for donations (excerpts)
By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer
Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson encouraged the community Thursday to “put their money where their mouth is” and help the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross that has been experiencing financial strains for quite some time.
“I find it interesting that we had a fire recently and it was on the news that there was the Red Cross helping those people,” Lawson said to the audience Thursday. “We can’t afford to lose Richmond and Madison County’s Red Cross.”
The local chapter conducted its first organization meeting Thursday in City Hall to help prepare for the “Heroes” fundraising campaign that will take place Feb. 12 to March 21.
This campaign is a grassroots community fundraiser that will work to recruit a large number of individuals who will agree to be “Heroes” and raise at least $1,000 for the chapter through any legal means they decide to use.
Most of those recruited in the past have involved their employers, school, civic organization or church just as a few examples.
The campaign consists of a coordinator, Debbie Bellairs, and six captains recruited by the coordinator who are in charge of appointing three co-captains.
Each co-captain is in charge of recruiting at least three “Heroes” who must agree to raise the money.
This year’s co-captains are: Barb Griec, business community; Bill Fort, pastor of the First Baptist Church on the Eastern Bypass, faith-based community; Richmond City Commissioner Robert Blythe, local government representative; and Paul Dickerson, education.
Co-captains are still needed for community outreach and one to serve as a liaison to the other counties represented by the chapter that include Garrard, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Owsley and Rockcastle. Each of these smaller counties have the goal of raising $5,000 each for the campaign.
The goal for the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross is $50,000.
Campaign chairpersons Lee and Kim Murphy said they would like to have all positions filled by Feb. 10.
Lawson took matters into her own hands Thursday and publicly gave her first contribution to the campaign.
“I know some of the other community business leaders are well aware and recognize that we’re going to have to do something,” she said. “We need to put our money where our mouth is. I would like to start with a pledge of $100. I know it’s not a lot, but hopefully I can get you in my budget for a few more contributions. If I care enough to sell it, then I need to care enough to buy it, and that’s always been my way of thinking.”
There is a $22,134 difference in the amount received and the amount spent by the organization, according to the chapter’s 2007 annual financial report.
The report does not list the private grants/funding received by the organization, but the numbers were included when determining the total deficit of $10,869.
Donations already are beginning to surface, however.
Bellairs reported Friday that the chapter already had received about $1,000 in donations since the publication of a Dec. 28 Richmond Register story focusing on the chapter’s financial strains.
Another fundraising effort is being made by Griec with her recently launched local business selling the VitalLife ID Card.
VitalLife ID is committed to supporting the capital campaign to keep the Daniel Boone Red Cross Chapter a local organization.
The VitalLife ID Card is a product that allows the consumer to store and transport critical personal emergency medical data and history.
It is a wallet-sized flash drive card about the size of a credit card, with a reversible USB connector.
The connection is designed to fit any computer or laptop USB port, even upside down. It automatically opens and displays necessary information on Windows-based operating systems and is stored in standard formats accessible on any type of computer.
The idea for the card is built on a philosophy of providing a quality product designed to help a person gain control of their life and provide piece of mind, said Barb Griec, president of VitalLife ID.
“It is the country’s most comprehensive personal emergency information card which makes every important piece of data available at all times,” Griec said. “The VitalLife ID Card is always there for you. We speak for you when you can’t.”
Visit www.vitallifeid.com for pricing and further details about the product.
There will be a $10 donation made to the Red Cross campaign for each VitalLife ID Card sold.
The organization does more than just help those who have been devastated by disaster, Lawson said.
The services of the Red Cross will be needed to train lifeguards who will be working at the city’s new aquatic center that will be opening on Memorial Day, she said.
The local chapter had more than 43 active volunteers in 2007 working collectively about 2,690 hours. Volunteers have helped teach 827 health and safety classes to 5,569 people throughout the areas served by the chapter.
The local chapter also provides a variety of free services for veterans, military personnel and their families, including around-the-clock delivery of emergency messages.
The organization’s worldwide network helps families send care packages to those serving in the armed forces overseas.
“Without the American Red Cross, there is no safety net,” said co-chairperson Lee Murphy. “The Red Cross symbol is a sign of neutrality. In a time of war, people know not to shoot that truck because they know we’re there not only for the victims, but for the American soldiers.”
Those who donate at least $1,000 during the three-week campaign period beginning will be recognized at the kick-off celebration Feb. 12 (the time of the event has yet to be announced) and in the Richmond Register.
The kick-off celebration will be conducted in the conference hall of the new Central Bank location at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and W. Main Street.
Local restaurants are being called upon to donate appetizers for the event.
Call 623-1336 for more information about the Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross, to learn how to become a volunteer or for more details about the Heroes Campaign.