Rotarian and Regional Red Cross Director Lynwood Roberson brought Health and Safety Director the Rev. Chet Rains to the regular meeting of the Rocky Mount Rotary Club on March 3 an update of the work by Rocky Mount-based Twin Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Rains, a Citadel and South Eastern Theological Seminary graduate who also serves as pastor of the Dortches Baptist Church, saluted members of the public and many of the Rotarians present who have provided significant personal and financial help so the chapter can carry out its various missions.

Contributed photo (ENLARGE)

From left, Rotary Club president George Ramey, Speaker Chet Rains and Red Cross Regional Director Lynwood Roberson.

He said that while the Red Cross responses to numerous instances of need, there are many cases of serious need in the area that don't receive any visibility and consequently go unmet.

The Red Cross provides services across several broad categories, including military family travel coordination, blood collection, local disaster response and life saving training.

Rains said there are many instances where the Red Cross arranged for timely travel for a loved one serving in the military and stationed overseas was reunited with family for a funeral or severe illness.

He mentioned recent rural fires outside of Nashville and in the Hollister area where the Red Cross – working with Gardner's Barbecue Restaurant – was able to furnish chicken plates to hardworking and nearly exhausted firefighters with little time available.

Rains also talked about responsibilities for the Twin Rivers chapter – health and safety training.

He strongly recommended the Adult/Child CPR training program at a cost of just $50.

He said that, sadly, far too many unnecessary deaths occur each year in front of bystanders who are untrained or are afraid to act in the case of emergency.

He said a recent death by choking in the area probably could have been avoided if someone had stepped forward to help.

While the Twin Rivers chapter experienced a financial turnover over the last several years and is operating on a sound basis, the need for additional financial resources continues to dominate the organization's agenda.

The United Way provides about 28 percent of the chapter's funding, but 30 percent must come from direct fundraising.

Later this month, a Heroes dinner fundraiser at Rose Hill will honor former Mayor Fred Turnage.