Each year, the Red Cross Southern District Office, which serves Fayette, Clayton, Henry and Butts Counties, responds to hundreds of calls for help for people affected by disaster, mostly single family home and apartment fires.

To ensure the continuation of these and other vital services, the Red Cross has launched its sixth annual South Metro HEROES Campaign, a unique fundraising concept that allows regular people from all walks of life to support the Red Cross in their own way.

The goal of the three- week campaign will be to recruit 50 HEROES who will raise or donate $1,000 each. Global Aero Logistics is the corporate sponsor of the South Metro HEROES Campaign, and Pete Nelms and Brent Scarborough are the campaign chairmen.

"I'm very proud to co- chair the 2008 South Metro HEROES Campaign for the American Red Cross," said Nelms. "This important campaign will help to continue support of Red Cross programs in our community, especially disaster relief programs. Anyone who is truly interested in making an impact on our community---- an impact that they can be proud of all year long---- can commit to donating or raising $1,000 to support the Red Cross."

During its last fiscal year, the Red Cross provided emergency assistance totaling over $521,000 to 738 South Metro residents. So far this fiscal year the Red Cross has provided $72,428 worth of assistance to 135 South Metro families.

On February 14, 2008, Fayette County resident Jane Heard, her mother, 7 year old niece and 19 month old grandson, learned first hand what it is like to experience a major house fire. Following the inferno, which consumed the family's home and automobile, they realized that they had lost all of their worldly possessions and would have to start over again. "We didn't have much but what we did have was very important to us", said Heard.

Red Cross officials met with Heard and provided her family with food, clothing, bedding and referrals and resources to address their long term needs. "During times when you really need help and you really need someone who cares — the Red Cross is there,” added Heard. The Red Cross depends upon volunteers and financial contributions from the community in order to provide disaster relief for families like the Heards.

"There are many people with big hearts in the South Metro community, but not everyone is able to volunteer their time and go out to a house fire," added Nelms. "If you can't actually volunteer, you can still help a family who lost their home and your community by becoming a Red Cross HERO, or by sponsoring a HERO with a financial contribution during this campaign."

Anyone needing more information or wishing to become a Red Cross HERO this May should contact Laurie Kimbrell at (404) 309- 6508 or lkimbrell@arcatl.org. To make a secure donation, log on to www.southmetroheroes.kintera.org

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