Chartered on September 16, 1916, the local Red Cross chapter is celebrating its 93rd year of providing services to residents of the Coastal Bend. The chapter currently assists over 50 communities in 12 counties throughout the Coastal Bend (Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio). Core services are disaster relief and preparedness, Community Training and Safety, and military communications. The chapter is headquartered in Corpus Christi and has a regional office in Aransas Pass. Services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The chapter is a Regional Chapter providing support to Rio Colorado, Crossroads, and South Texas Chapters. Locally governed by a 33-member board of directors responsible for setting priorities, raising money and providing sound financial managment. The current Board Chair is Bill Dodge. Quentin Masters serves as the Executive Director. The chapters major fundraising events are the Red Cross Bash (March), and Annual Meeting (June).
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The Chapter's workforce is about 400 people- 98% of whom are volunteers and 13 Paid staff, assist over 500 people every year in single-family disasters, usually a fire. On average, we respond to a residential fire every 72 hours. For those effected we provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, and other emergency needs.
We train over 15,000 people every year in lifesaving skills. The chapter assist over 1,300 local military families with emergency communication. In addition the chapter also provides disaster preparedness materials to over 35,000 people annually.
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The chapter receives no government funding to provide its services; we rely on support from the United Way and from local donors. Approximately 40% of our revenue is from the United Way. Chapter budget for FY09 (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) is $904,800. Audited every year by a local CPA firm - strong history of no material findings. Accountable to the national Red Cross for 16 performance standards. Last audit indicated over 85 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services.
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In October 2005, the chapter was honored by the Westside Business Association as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year.
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In March 2006, the chapter was recognized by the national Red Cross with a Star Award for its performance.
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In 2007, the chapter received a $198,500 grant from the Charity League to purchase an Emergency Response Vehicle, a car, a carport, furniture and building repairs.
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In 2008, the chapter was honored by National Headquarters as a Top Performing Chapter.
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In 2009, the chapter received a $50,100 Readiness grant from the WalMart Foundation which is providing us with two Vista volunteers for one year. They will be providing preparedness and safety education to elementary schools throughout the chapter.
