Red Cross campaign committee members include (front row, from left) Greta Walden, Jerri Lynn Smith, Sherri Frame, Amanda Young, Tom Allard, (back row) Cindi Loso, Amy Shoemaker, Kathryn Whitworth, Eric Michaels, Shandra Baltimore, Susan Spears. (Submitted photo)

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, which serves Bedford, Rutherford and Cannon County residents, began the Bedford County portion of its annual fund-raising campaign last week.

The campaign is entitled "Join the Heart of Tennessee Chapter 2008." The goal for the overall campaign is $200,000 and Bedford County volunteers are working to reach a goal of $9,000, up from $5,000 last year.

Volunteers will be contacting previous as well as new donors to the organization to raise money to help local families recover from disasters such as tornadoes, house fires etc. The Heart of Tennessee Chapter provides emergency food, clothing and shelter to victims of disasters. The Red Cross is a non-government, non-profit organization that depends on donations from the community to provide their life-saving services.

"I am really excited about this year's campaign, and I am so proud to be assisting the Red Cross to raise money to help our neighbors in need right here in Bedford County," said 2008 Bedford County Campaign Chair Amanda Young.

March is also known as National Red Cross Month so the Heart of Tennessee Chapter is also working to promote other Red Cross events:

* "Denim for Disaster" is an opportunity for local businesses to allow their employees to give a $5 donation to the local Red Cross in exchange for wearing jeans to work on March 28.

* "Save a Life Saturday" is a community-wide CPR rally that will be held simultaneously March 29 at 5 locations throughout Rutherford, Bedford and Cannon Counties.

For more information on these programs, or other Red Cross programs and activities, call (615) 893-4272 or go to www.midtnredcross.org. Online donations can also be accepted.

The Heart of Tennessee American Red Cross Chapter provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford and Cannon counties. Over the past year the Chapter trained nearly 8,237 people in CPR and First Aid and transmitted 191 emergency messages for military families. Over 16,000 pints of lifesaving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 130 local Red Cross volunteers as well as through gifts from the local community.