Hollister
– Officials at the Monterey-San Benito County Red Cross are
still feeling the affects of Hurricane Katrina, which they believe
have caused donors to overlook the needs of local residents.
Hollister – Officials at the Monterey-San Benito County Red Cross are still feeling the affects of Hurricane Katrina, which they believe have caused donors to overlook the needs of local residents.
Chapter Spokeswoman Laura Kershner said funding for the chapter is down 49 percent compared to this time last year. The reason, she said, is donor fatigue.
“This isn’t unusual after a large disaster,” Kershner said. “The national donations increase, but local chapters suffer.”
The monetary shortfall is serious and Kershner said she hopes donations increase so the organization doesn’t have to ask the American Red Cross for help. However, donations have gained momentum in the last three months, Kershner said. During the last year, more than 800 new San Benito County donors have contributed money to the Red Cross.
“We want to be able to respond with our own people,” she said. “We don’t want to have to rely on the national organization. Local people are best at helping their neighbors.”
Kershner said that recent media coverage of the 1906 earthquake hasn’t done much to increase donations. Checks don’t come in until after a disaster actually hits, she said.
“Preparedness is a hard sell,” she said. “People are often too busy, but we do try to encourage preparedness.”
San Benito County is “ground-zero in terms of quakes,” Kershner said.
Kershner said that lesson was learned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
“Katrina has taught us to be prepared,” she said. “Be prepared to be on your own for the first 72 hours.”
In the last year, the Monterey-San Benito County chapter has responded to 11 emergencies in San Benito County. Most of the emergencies were residential fires, Kershner said.
“We’re hopeful that people will remember that local people need help after disasters too,” she said.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
