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1998 - 1999 Annual Report
A Message to Our Partners:
Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve
A heartfelt "thank you" to our most precious assets: volunteers, donors, staff, and leadership board members for a successful year.
Our fiscal year 1998-99 was a success in so many ways. What follows are the highlights of this remarkable year:
Volunteer of the Year for 1998-99, Richard Huffman, was proudly acknowledged at our Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony on April 24.
We were challenged with three international fund-raising campaigns in support of the International Red Cross. Hurricanes George in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Mitch in Central America, and third, the refugee relief efforts in Kosovo called High Desert residents to action. To date, we have raised nearly $23,000 for International Relief. As part of the Red Cross Movement since it's inception in the 1800s, all Chapters must accept the responsibility to assist in time of international crisis. We remind you, however, not to forget the local needs of your Chapter in raising funds to help locally.
Our Disaster Action Team (DAT) members assisted in 48 local disaster operations, 2 Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) volunteers responded to Hurricane George in Puerto Rico, and 143 people were trained locally to respond to disasters.
Health & Safety Services trained more than 5761 individuals in CPR, First Aid, Water Safety, HIV/AIDS Education, Child Care and other health and safety preparedness classes.
Our Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) program was busy providing approximately 328 direct services to active duty military members and their dependents, as well as providing approximately 5 International Tracing Services for individuals who have lost touch with or have been separated from their loved ones in foreign countries, including Yugoslavia, Poland, Belize, West Africa, and Ethiopia. We also assisted 1 family in finding out the fate of the relatives of a close family friend who was a victim of the Holocaust through our Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center.
Our Youth Services program chartered Boy Scout Troop #881 in October 1998. Youth Affirmation is a major focal point at our Chapter and at the National American Red Cross. We enthusiastically embrace this initiative to develop youth leaders and to utilize community alliances to support the training and education of our future leaders today's youth.
We thank you for your ongoing support, dedication and commitment to partnership with your High Desert Chapter American Red Cross. Together we Aspire, Together we Achieve success in our ability to provide Red Cross services whenever and wherever they are needed.
Sincerely,
Sherril D 'Espyne
John Lindsay
Executive Director
Board Chairman