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Alabama Youth Support Disaster Relief Fund
Mary Moreillon, Special to RedCross.Org
Monday, November 01, 2004 — Keelin Billue and Payal Mehta are just two of the American Red Cross volunteers who’ve made a huge difference for those affected by this year’s devastating rash of hurricanes in the Southeast United States. Both are volunteer youth leaders at the Madison/Marshall Chapter of the Red Cross in Huntsville, AL, and they were organizing their annual leadership program when the hurricanes began. As the disaster relief efforts got off the ground to aid efforts in Florida, the youth knew they wanted to do their part.
Several local radio and television stations joined the youth from the chapter to host telethons to raise funds for the disaster relief fund, and they also enlisted local Lowe’s stores to host the events.
Red Cross youth leaders Keelin Billue and Payal Mehta take a break during a fundraising telethon last month. |
“It is important for young people to give back to the community,” said Payal Mehta, Youth Leadership Committee Co-Chair during the telethon, “and the Red Cross is an excellent place to give your time.”
The youth volunteers were not shy about asking people to donate. They got very excited when one resident saw them on TV and came down to make a $1,000 donation so that it could be matched by Lowe’s.
Overall, the telethons raised $29,000 for the disaster relief fund, and despite that already huge accomplishment, the youth leaders continue to plan other fund raisers and Together We Prepare activities.
In the past youth volunteers at the chapter have used their creative energy to develop several successful fund-raisers benefiting the chapter, including a high school competition for Safe Families Day, raising nearly $3000 a year, and a “Greet and Seat”, an event that takes place at a local restaurant, Tellini’s where the youth and young adult volunteers wait on tables and greet customers in exchange for donations. The event raises an average of $300 per day.
The chapter youth also holds several smaller fund-raisers throughout the year such as ornament sales at a local mall during the holiday season, raising $1500 in one weekend. The money raised by all of these fundraisers went directly to chapter funds or to victims of single family fires. As result, the chapter has been rewarded with several national, regional, and local award totaling nearly $8,000, including as the JCPenney Golden Rule Award.
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