Cherokee County Chapter of the American Red Cross is gearing up for its 2008 Heroes Campaign. The goal for this year is $25,000.

Thereasa Hulgan is the ARC Heroes Campaign coordinator this year. Team captains to date include Kurt Duryea, Micki Kerr, Denise Mansfield, Lori Collins and Susanna Jennings.

Each team captian, Hulgan said, will recruit six to eight players. Each team player can recruit one to two players. Each team has a goal of raising $5,000. (If a team consists of 12 players, each player's goal is $417.)

"This is very reachable," said Hulgan. "For example, a player can contact a business and get a $200 donation, contact another business to participate with the Red Cross Squares raising $100, contact a church or group to have a fundraiser for $100 and contact five friends for $20 each and you've just made a touchdown! $500!"

The Red Cross will place the Heroes Board with the names of those who have contributed at least $50 on the side of the Model Tees Building on South River Street in Centre. Those who purchase one square ($50) will have their names displayed in black lettering. A $200 donation can purchase four squares which will contain names with colored lettering and the company logo.

After the end of the campaign, all donors' names will be listed in small print. The Heroes Board will remain on the side of the Model Tees building through January 2009, so therefore, it will be well displayed during the Centre Fall Festival and Cherokee County Christmas Parade.

Teams will compete during the eight-week campaign in manh different ways, Hulgan said, through the Red Cross squares, business donations, corporate sponsors, restaurants, health care facilities and financial institutions. Financial institutions could sponsor bake sales, bike rides, car washes. Groups could also bag groceries at a local grocery store and get tips, serve at a local restaurant and get tips and sponsor horseshoe or softball touranments.

"One of the teams is sponsoring a talent contest," said Hulgan.

For more information about the Heroes Campaign, call the local Red Cross Office at (256)927-3797 or stop by at 1470 West Main Street in Centre.

"We anticipate a lot of businesses that have always supported the Red Cross will be faithful and support the Heroes Campaign this year," said Hulgan. "It helps local people. You never know when you might be that family that suffers a fire or loses a home in a tornado or other disaster. You have to think about that."

The Heroes Campaign and the Annual Souper Supper are the only fundraisders the Red Cross sponsors each year. And with the uncertainty of the current economy and the availability of state and federal funds, the pressure is increasing on local chapters to become more self-sustaining."

"It is your local people that really support your local chapters," said Hulgan. "And that is why we feel that everybody who gives is a hero for Cherokee County."