Economic Woes Hitting Red Cross Donors

The tough economic times Georgia’s going through have battered emergency relief services like the American Red Cross. The Albany branch says they almost went under. Red Cross officials say donations in southwest Georgia have dropped dramatically the last three months and they were on the verge of suspending operations. Mari Wright runs the Albany Red Cross office: ”Many of our regular contributors, that would, say, donate a hundred dollars, are now giving us $25 dollars. People that were giving us $25 dollars or less… can’t give us anything. so we are probably at 85 – maybe 90% down, and that’s a considerable amount. It truly is.” Wright says, however, that the United Way, local businesses and individuals have brought in enough donations in recent days to keep their aid services afloat. Conditiions in more urban Red Cross offices are less dire. Officials in Columbus, Augusta, and Valdosta cite a larger donor base, and financial assistance from the national office to help them keep their doors open.