Cherokee County Chapter of the American Red Cross entered its second leg of the 2006 Heroes Campaign recently during a gathering at the Red Cross Office in Centre.

The meeting consisted of local public officials, Red Cross Board of Directors members and others. Kurt Duryea, coordinator, said three teams are currently working right now contacting individuals and donations about making contributions. Team captains are Agnes Wright, Lowell Hamilton and Shelby Bruce.

Rep. Richard Lindsey is honorary chairman this year.

“We are pleased to have a gathering like this in our relatively new office after what we’ve been through over the last 14 months with fire and three moves,” said Betsy Hollis chapter manager. “We are really delighted to have some extra space and to be able to have a group like this here. I thank you all for your participation in the Heroes Campaign. The Heroes Campaign is vitally important to the success of this chapter. It provides the money that helps us relieve fire victims. And to date, since the first of July, we have spent more than $9,000 on fire victims in Cherokee County. Our Heroes is a very significant program. It is one of two fundraisers that we do each year. We are doing it a little bit late this year.”

The first major fundraiser, Hollis said, was the 2006 Souper Supper.

“We have three team captains and the idea is to help motivate the teams,” said Mrs. Hollis. They are the ones who are contacting the individuals.”

According to Hollis these fundraisers are the only way Cherokee County Chapter of the American Red Cross can raise funds.

“We are 99.9 percent totally self-supportive,” said Mrs. Hollis. “All of the money stays here in Cherokee County except for about 2 percent. And I consider one of my main functions to get that 2 percent back in the form of grants and scholarships to keep the chapter totally self-sufficient. So I appreciate everyone’s efforts.”