Chief Jack

Krakeel of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services

recalls a time when the American Red Cross came to the county's need.

It was 1994,

and parts of Fayette were flooded out after rains that wouldn't quit.

"We were

able to withstand that disaster largely because of help from the Red Cross,"

Krakeel said.

But now the

Red Cross needs Fayette County's help. One of its main funding sources

has been cut and the agency is asking Fayette residents to chip in as

little or as much as they can.

"Every

little bit counts," said Joan Smith, chair of the Heroes fund-raising

campaign for the South Metro Service Center of the Red Cross. "A

dollar does make a difference."

Donations can

be made in person at the Wachovia Bank in Fayetteville at 620 N. Jeff

Davis Drive. Donations can also be mailed to : The American Red Cross,

South Metro Service Center, 1115-H Mt. Zion Rd., Morrow, Ga. 30260, Attn:

Ruben Brown.

The Red Cross

helps out local families who are burned out of their homes and have lost

all their possessions. In addition to providing food and clothing, the

Red Cross also provides temporary lodging so the family can try and return

to normal.

The agency

is also prepared to open shelters in Fayette or elsewhere should a large-scale

evacuation take place for whatever reason.

Regardless

of the scale of disaster, "The Red Cross is going to be there and

take care of your family," Krakeel said. "They are there, they

are ready to lend a hand and they are friendly and compassionate.

"I certainly

hope our community will respond to this need of the Red Cross. ... I don't

know what Fayette County would do without the Red Cross."

Peachtree City

Mayor Steve Brown noted that the agency also assists refugees from other

countries who come here "with nothing but the clothes on their backs."

"In the

event we had to evacuate our citizens, we are very dependent on the Red

Cross to shelter them," Brown added.

Organizers

have set a goal of raising $50,000 but they hope to raise even more to

meet the agency's financial needs.