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In 2008 contributions were
down for some of the largest organizations in the country. Their
mission is to help others, now they need a bit of a boost
themselves.
While we watched the
economy take a dive this year, the number of disasters and the
bill for responding was going up. In the final days of 2008 many
organizations focused on getting people to give. Like many
families, the Barbin's found themselves in the middle of
Hurricane Ike and in need of help.
"We knew he needed dialysis in the next
couple of days so we called 911," said victim Barbara Barbin.
With no end in sight to widespread
power outages, the Red Cross moved the family to a shelter in
San Antonio near a dialysis center.
"They had a taxi come and pick me up
and took me back every time," Ike victim Lloyd Barbin said.
The Barbins are one of millions of
families who received help from the Red Cross this year.
"It was a lifesaver for us," Lloyd
said.
But with a near record year for
disasters, the costs for helping families like theirs have
really added up.
"It's been a year of terrific
challenges for the American Red Cross both here and around the
country," said Charlie McGiven who is the Interim CEO of the
local chapter.
The current campaign is $20 million
from its yearend goal.
"As to emergency relief, they are still
in a deficit position but much less than three months ago,"
McGivern said.
And the organization estimates it will
need $500 million for disaster relief next year.
Other organizations are feeling the
pinch too. The Pasadena Salvation Army is down 24% from its year
end goal.
"Basically what that means is we have
to cut the budget in services 24%," said Captain Edward Alonzo
of The Salvation Army. "Because of the economy and of Hurricane
Ike, more and more people are going to come through our doors."
And the money did not pour in like it
did following Hurricane Katrina. Back then $215 million came in
through donations, but after Hurricane Ike it was just $15
million.
The Red Cross is ending 2008 with an
email call for help. Hoping stories like the Barbins will
encourage people to scrape up whatever they can give.
"If we would have waited at home for
that amount of time I think he wouldn't be here," Babin
admitted. The Red Cross says there are ways of contributing if
you don't have any extra to give this year and that is through
volunteering. Barbara Barbin says she plans on becoming a Red
Cross volunteer in 2009.
Copyright © 2009 - KTRK News
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