Reflecting the Red Cross' service to the military, the theme of the annual Red Ball this year is "You've Been Drafted."
Thursday evening, the Red Ball Committee held its kickoff dinner in the executive dining room at Zimmer and revealed this year's theme for the event. It also reviewed the Kosciusko Chapter of the American Red Cross annual report.
This year's Red Ball will be March 8 at Tippecanoe Country Club. Attendees are encouraged to get creative with their attire for the event - camouflage, army fatigues, patriotic clothing and military-themed costumes all will fit right in at this years fundraiser. Local singing group The Classics will provide entertainment for the evening.
Co-chairs for the event are Dr. Larry and Fran Allen, David and Cheryl Blakemore, Dr. Dean and Carol Lyn Jansen, and Cody Silva and Katherine Kubacki.
The kickoff was hosted by Zimmer Inc. and committee member Sylvia Aguirre.
Cheryl Blakemore and Fran Allen welcomed the committee to the dinner and then introduced Larry Peppel, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter.
All proceeds from the Red Ball go to the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Annually, funds raised by the Red Ball make up about 30 percent of the local chapter's budget.
"This is a busy time for us," Peppel said. "We are working on several projects."
Peppel said the current flooding, as well as the tornado in Nappanee in October, have kept volunteers and staff at the local chapter busy. He also expects an increase in requests for aid from military families affected by the deployment of the local National Guard unit to Iraq.
"There is always a job for everyone at the Red Cross," Peppel said.
The two major functions of the Red Cross services to the armed forces are emergency messaging and financial assistance.
"Families rely on us to take an accurate message and deliver it," Peppel said.
In the 2007 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the local chapter helped with 62 cases that required 230 communications. Peppel said the Red Cross is always looking for volunteers trained to take the messages and deal with them properly.
"It's a great program and one we're glad to be able to provide," Peppel said.
When local troops deployed three years ago, Peppel said, many families were left here in need of assistance. At that time, the Red Cross set up a local food pantry and provided financial assistance through loans and grants.
"I think we will see a significant impact on the local chapter," said Peppel. "If people need help, we try to help them."
Peppel presented highlights of the 2007 fiscal year, reporting that the Red Cross responded to 35 disaster relief cases affecting 129 people. The Red Cross provides assistance to the families not covered by insurance, and supports local departments during disasters.
The Red Cross hosted more than 60 bloodmobiles and collected 4,522 units of blood in fiscal year 2007.
Invitations for this year's Red Ball will be sent out at the end of January. Anyone who wants to receive an invitation or whose address has changed since last year, should call the Red Cross at 574-267-5244 to update the list for invitations. Those who do not attend the Red Ball may donate by returning a contribution with the RSVP or may donate directly to the Red Cross. Make all checks payable to American Red Cross Red Ball 2007, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Committee members are: Tony and Sylvia Aguirre; Bill and Sue Allen; Jack and Tana Birch; Toby and Donna Buck; Sylvain and Allison Champoux; Brian and Jill DeBatty; Ramsey Railsback and Dr. Cheryl Blanchard-Railsback; Jerry and Norma Ferguson; Bruce and Jeannie Grossnickle; Steve and Lori Grossnickle; Dan and Dr. Pamela Hann; Dr. Thom and Zoe Howard; Mike and Rebecca Kubacki; Pete and Peggy Leiffring; Felicity and Scott Lennox; Carol and Randy Lowe; Steve and Diane McGarvey; Curtis and Kim Meyer; Dane and Mary Louise Miller; Tony and Cathy Miller; Roberta and David Montgomery; Chuck and Lois Niemier; Larry and Marsha Peppel; Robert Smith and Dr. Joan Szynal; Mike and Cathy Suhany; Cathy and Larry Teghtmeyer; Pam and Jeff Thornburgh; Wayne and Betty Walston; Kevin and Gayle Westover; Kevin and Judy Weaver; and Chandler and Erin Williams.
