The Monterey and San Benito County chapters of the Red Cross
have completed a merger that it is hoped will save money and spare
emergency services from the fiscal chopping block. The move was
made official at the Red Cross National Convention in San Francisco
at the end of May.
Hollister – The Monterey and San Benito County chapters of the Red Cross have completed a merger that it is hoped will save money and spare emergency services from the fiscal chopping block. The move was made official at the Red Cross National Convention in San Francisco at the end of May.
Laura Kershner, public relations director for the Monterey chapter, said the San Benito County chapter was spending more money than it was taking in. Combining with Monterey County will help ease San Benito’s burden, she said.
While local chapters receive some funding and assistance through the National Red Cross, they rely considerably on local donations and volunteer time and energy.
“We didn’t want the Red Cross to go away and this was a way to meet the needs of this county and San Benito as well,” Kershner said. “Because every Red Cross can only be as strong as the community that supports it, we are hopeful to turn the tide (with the merger). We hope people will see we’re under new management and have a new face and they’ll actively support us.”
Part of the savings will come in management costs. San Benito’s executive director, Kathryn Engelhard, was let go and her duties have been taken over by Monterey County chapter’s director, 30-year Red Cross veteran Paula Herrera. Three other part-time employees remain in the Tres Pinos Road office attending to day-to-day business.
San Benito County Chapter Board Chairman Michael McLennan thanked Engelhard for her devotion and wished her well in her future endeavors. He hopes community support of the organization continues.
“We want you to know that you can depend on us to be there in times of emergency,” McLennan said. “We’re not leaving San Benito County, we’re simply exploring a new structure to maximize donated dollars to programs and services.”
Monterey County Board member and San Juan Bautista resident Jennifer Roybal-Marquez said she’s thrilled the two chapters merged and that it makes sense to pool resources between communities with similar geographies and demographics.
She said the chapters are offering bilingual First Aid and CPR classes and are working on an AIDS/HIV awareness class, along with several other programs to assist community members.
“I think it’s really got a renewed spirit,” Roybal-Marquez said. “There’s a lot of synergy between the two chapters. It’s a dynamic starting point.”
While there are approximately 400 volunteers between the two chapters, they’re always looking for more. Volunteers are needed to go out, often in the middle of the night, to help victims of house fires or other emergencies, Kershner said. San Benito County hopes to bulk up on help so it will be available when the need arises.
“You can never have too many volunteers,” she said. “It’s takes a little training, but it’s very fulfilling.”
The chapter is also looking for a new home to save on rent. Kershner said they would also like to be at a location with better visibility.
To contact the Red Cross to donate, volunteer or offer assistance in finding another office location, call (831) 424-4824.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
