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 Happy New Year! Sounds strange, but our Red Cross Chapter starts its new fiscal year on July 1st! This has been a challenging and exciting year and we are very proud of how we continue to provide high-level service to meet our community needs, thanks to our supporters!
Disaster response has been a high priority this year, including facilitating support from Silicon Valley donors, corporations, faith groups and schools for relief efforts in both Haiti and Chile, as well as flooded areas of the US. In addition to that, we have seen an extraordinary demand for our local disaster services in the past months. In a 10 month period, the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter has responded to 105 local disasters (mostly home fires) versus 70 local disasters in the previous 12 months. The 184 local families (639 individuals) affected by these disasters received food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support, totaling over $100,000 and growing, versus our annual budget of $75,000.
Although the challenges were many, they were balanced by some great successes.
Our inaugural Heroes Celebration gala event on May 8 gathered more than 400 attendees and netted over $150,000 to support the Chapter's emergency response, health and safety and youth programs. It was a special night recognizing inspiring community heroes who performed life-saving acts. There was also bidding on terrific auction and raffle items and marveling at the unique wearable art competition, where fashion designers submitted their entries in tribute to the work of the Red Cross.
Also, our Silicon Valley Chapter continues to lead in helping our community prepare for, prevent, and respond to emergencies. CADRE (Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort) - a network of nearly 300 area non-profit organizations and community service providers that work together to coordinate disaster relief efforts, is one of our many accomplishments.
Finally, as we're coming up on fiscal year-end our financial situation is steadily improving thanks, again, to donors like you who helped us through this economic headwind. We appear to be turning the corner and have submitted a balanced budget!
As we look forward to the new fiscal year we will continue to provide training to prevent emergencies and relief to victims of local disasters. We know it is not a matter of when, but how ready we are. We appreciate the trust that people, including our neighbors, friends, and families place in us. I feel confident that with the communities’ continued support and the leadership of our board members, staff and volunteers we will meet the challenges that lie ahead in our own community and successfully fulfill our mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Thanks to everyone for your support!
Yours truly,
Barb Larson Larkin, Chief Executive Officer
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