On June 27, the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter celebrated the Grand Opening of our new 11,750 sq. ft. Preparedness and Response Center in Santa Maria and the completion of our $2.8 million fundraising campaign.
Three years ago, the Chapter’s Board of Directors purchased the warehouse at 3030 Skyway Drive for $1.3 million. We then launched a Capacity Building Campaign to raise the additional $1.5 million needed to renovate the facility.
As the Grand Opening Celebration began, the Chapter had $56,774 yet to raise to reach our goal. During a special Major Donor Reception at the very beginning of the Celebration, Mr. and Mrs. James Dodson, who had already contributed $200,000 to this campaign, surprised Chapter CEO Janet Stanley with the terrific news that they would donate an additional $50,000 if we could raise the remaining $6,774.
Word quickly went out not only to those present but also to the viewers of KCOY-TV. The television station was doing a telethon that evening during its 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts to help us reach our goal. As the celebration drew to a close that evening, we had raised $8,398 – more than enough to qualify for the $50,000 donation from the Dodsons.
This terrific news also means that we will now receive a $250,000 grant for the Campaign from the Weingart Foundation that was contingent on reaching our goal. All along we have been including this amount in our projections but we could not officially claim it until the entire $1.5 million had been received or pledged. And now it has!
Official representatives of the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce and other cities in northern Santa Barbara County attended and participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Donors who gave to the Center and several hundred Red Cross Volunteers and guests took tours of the new facility as well as enjoyed wine and a sumptuous array of hors d’oeuvres.
We are now fully moved into the new facility. Our First Aid, CPR and other classes started on May 1st in our three brand new classrooms.
As we go to press we would like to express our appreciation
to businesses and individuals that offered generous in-kind assistance at our Grand Opening.
Most importantly, we want to thank all of our terrific donors who have contributed so mightily to our new Preparedness and Response Center. Because of their generosity, the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter now has a much stronger presence in northern Santa Barbara County and is much better able to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters throughout the region.
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