Saturday, Feb. 27 Ponca City and local volunteer fire fighters, along with Red Cross volunteers, kicked off the annual Red Cross Heroes Campaign at Wal-Mart. The campaign is an effort to raise funds and awareness for the local Red Cross.

During the annual campaign, many in the community step forward to be Heroes for the Red Cross. Heroes plan many fun events to support the local disaster relief fund in the area. This year's co-chairpersons are Cathy Sebring, Eastman National Bank, and Nancy Rathbun, Completely Quilted.

This year's local Hero events are:

Jack Bowker Ford, Cannon Honda, Pemberton Chevrolet and Davis Moore will donate $25 per car sold in March.

Ponca City High School Chorale, under the direction of Stephanie Council, will hold a benefit concert March 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Ride for the Red motorcycle and car ride and lunch April 17, honoring military service personnel.

Red D.O.G. (Dutch oven gathering) Dinner and Auction in May.

Individuals may also be Heroes for the Red Cross, agreeing to raise money through any legal means they choose. Many hold bake sales, car washes or simply ask friends and family members to make a financial donation through their personal Red Cross Heroes web page.

"We are so grateful to these folks who have stepped forward to help," said Nancy Rathbun, Heroes' co-chair. "Their success in the Heroes Campaign will make all the difference in our ability to provide Red Cross disaster assistance to our community."

"Disasters do not discriminate along gender, age, social, or ethnic lines. Disasters can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere," said Cathy Sebring, Heroes' co-chair. "Red Cross volunteers are ready day and night to help our neighbors when they need it most."

The Red Cross is best known for helping people during natural disasters such as ice storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. But most support is more personal: helping neighbors after house fires. Red Cross volunteers often show up while the fire is still burning and begin immediately to offer comfort and aid. These compassionate volunteers meet with the family, assess the damage to the home and provide funds to meet immediate needs of shelter, clothing, food, and other basic necessities. The volunteer is a friendly face, there to take families by the hand and lead them through the first critical days following a fire.

The money raised here stays here. Red Cross assistance is given through a pre-paid credit card allowing the individuals to shop locally for their clothing and food. The Red Cross provides a room at a local hotel for the families for a few days until a more permanent solution is found. The Red Cross is not a government agency and supported entirely by the generosity of the community.

For more information about how you can become involved in the Heroes Campaign, call 580-765-6605 or email tbarnes@arctac.org or jsinton@arctac.org.

The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. To learn more about the Red Cross, visit www.oklahomaredcross.org