Red Cross in desperate need of help

Responding to a fire in Blacksburg on Wednesday evening, Shellie Wylie came ready, willing and able to assist a family however she could.

She was ready if they needed money for food, shelter, clothing or medicine. She also was ready in case they needed warmth.

But frequent calls for assistance from the American Red Cross of Cherokee County in recent weeks and months are starting to pinch the charitable organization's resources, said Wylie, its director.

Wylie had also responded with assistance to a Chesnee family who lost their home to fire on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon in Blacksburg, she handed out her last two blankets. Currently, the American Red Cross of Cherokee County is about $16,000 short of its annual budgetary goals.

"If we don't have donations coming in on a regular basis, I can't do what we did last night," she said Thursday. "This can happen to any family."

The American Red Cross is funded completely by donations. The local branch will have its biggest fundraiser of the year in March with its annual Taste of Cherokee. Wylie said the organization has a goal of raising $20,000 at the event. Even if the goal is met, however, Wylie said the organization only will get back on track and not necessarily ahead of the curve.

March also is Red Cross Month. Wylie is hopeful that organizations and businesses will be willing to commit to fundraising efforts.

"We're looking for Red Cross Heros," she said. Gaffney Fire Chief Nathan Ellis is chairman of the Red Cross Heros campaign.