By By Janet Little Cooper
The West Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross will no longer be operating as a Service Center in Atmore.
National headquarters gave orders two weeks ago for the Atmore Chapter to begin distributing monetary vouchers. The service center operated in the Red Crosses temporary facilities in the Advance building until lack of space became an issue. Mayor Howard Shell approved the chapter relocating in the vacant building of Adam's Plaza where FEMA set up after Ivan. Atmore Red Cross assisted an estimated number of 130 displaced people a day for the last two weeks. The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross ordered the service centers closure.
They want all operations to be out of the Civic Center in Mobile where they have other disaster assistance programs available such as FEMA," Charlotte Boyle, West Escambia Chapter Director said, " Service Centers are also being set up in Mississippi now. Before now, they couldn't put anything there."
Appointments that have previously been made for the Atmore center have been canceled. People still seeking assistance from the Red Cross are asked to change appointments from Atmore to the Mobile Service Center.
The West Escambia Chapter of the Red Cross will resume normal operations next week on Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 from 9 a.m. until noon. The office will continue offering its normal services and assistance.
"We will not be able to open back up until next week, because we just have so much paperwork to complete and get sent to national." Boyle said. The Red Cross offers assistance to natural disaster victims by providing food and clothing. The organization also helps victims with expenses they are unable to maintain.
"We would like to apologize to any merchants who may have been inconvenienced by the influx of people," Boyle added, "but when you have such a large mass of people your helping it makes it hard not to have a little confusion." Boyle also wanted to thank all of the people of Atmore for being so generous and giving to the Red Cross.
If you need to schedule an appointment, call 1-251-438-2571 or 1-800-975-7585. If you are interested in making a monetary donation to the American Red Cross you may mail checks to: American Red Cross, 101 North Pensacola, Avenue, Atmore, AL 36502.
If you would like for your donation to stay in Atmore, make a note on your check or correspondence stating West Escambia Chapter, if not just note it as National.