The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-03-07
RED CR0l5BU5Y
 ALL TIME; FACES
 ARE GIVEN OUT
It can happen here!

Not only it can" but it does and it has.
 The American Red Cross is a very large organization, covering nearly every nation in the world says the local Red Cross Chairman We on the home front are prone to think of the Red Cross organ ization like a big something-or- other that is manned, operated and run at some distant ''aA~
 people we have never heard abo0 at all We do not ses.-l ~ of it as a strictly local affair like our Chamber of Commerce, om Rotary Club, our Lions Club, Am erican Legion, Elks Club, or other home town agencies. Yet there is not much difference. Each of these organizations is composed of our neighbors. They pay dues in most cases, part of those dues is sent to national headquarters, where sit men we do not see nor know.
 "The Red Cross is about the same. One of the biggest differences is that membership in most of these local groups is limited and in most cases, membership is by elec- ton of the group. The Red Cross membership is open to all. You pay your money and you are a member. A local group handles the details, works under supervision of local people, spends part of that money in places where needed, sends part to the national group for national need. That is the part we hear about most. If the Ohio River goes on a rampage, destroys homes, businesses, farms, and lives the Red Cross comes to the rescue It makes the headlines in the paper because it is of national import ance. A war comes along and costs multiply ten-fold and we hear about that. too. M
 But we don't need to wait for a national catastrophe to happen. It happens right here. Have you for gotten the Nome and Douglas fires? Have you forgotten the recent Hoonah fire? Surely there are many who have a very keen recol- lection of our own Juneau land- slide which took the lives of IA of our neighbors.
 Compared to death tolls else where, IA seems like a mighty few, but when IA of our neighbors and friends are snuffed out like candles in the matter, of seconds, it be- comes quite a sizeable amount. Be- sides the death loss. was the prop erty loss and many who escaped with their lives, lost everything they owned, home, furniture and clothing. The Red Cross, through the local chapter, obtained actual financial aid for those in need. They did not give luxury to the victims who lived, but they pro- vided for them until they could get on their feet again.
 We do not have to go back that far The local chapter of the Red Cross has furnished many needy with warm clothes, bedding, food, glasses, and medical care. Not much bally-hoo about it, but just slowly and steadily caring for those who, through some misfortune beyond their control, have needed aid.
 "The Home Service Branch of the local Red Cross has done, and is still doing, vast job-a job that requires much time of a mana job that pays nothing except the self appreciation in the satisfaction of a job well done. Those who know the amount of time required, ap- preciate the Red Cross worker. Those who. do not know, would lessen their criticism and lossen their purse-strings if they would only find out.
 Red Cross aid is not only across the sea in the war-ridden coun- tries. It is not only in areas strictly with a calamity or catastrophe. The Red Cross works everywhere when it is needed. It can happen in Norway, Sweden and Finland! It can happen in France and Russia! Yes, it can happen here!
 "In the present drive. you are being given an opportunity to do- nate. When that chance comes, grasp it as an opportunity and give cheerfully and liberally."