Jul 26, 2008 1:35 pm US/Eastern
Red Cross Loses Funds Helping Tornado Victims
LONDONDERRY (WBZ) ―
While the Red Cross came to the rescue of New Hampshire residents affected by a tornado that ripped through several towns Thursday, the organization lost funding because it didn't attend a meeting.
Within hours after the tornado, the Red Cross was on the ground in central New Hampshire. But while the Londonderry volunteers were helping with the disaster, they missed a very important meeting back in Londonderry when the town's finance committee was appropriating money.
"The budget committee acts as the watchdog for the taxpayers to make sure the money being spent is being spent properly," said budget committee member Tom Dolan.
Londonderry helps support over a dozen charities. Last year, it gave the Red Cross $1,400. But when the Red Cross didn't show up at Thursday's meeting, its funding was cut completely.
"We have no actual national funding support so we rely on the community, the businesses and the individuals," said Elaine Michaud with the Red Cross. "While $1,400 doesn't sound like a lot of money, every dollar that we do receive goes back to the services that we do provide to the needs of the communities."
Town officials said they realize the Red Cross was busy helping tornado victims but they say one representative should have made the annual meeting.
"It's important for us to sit across the table, look them straight in the eye and want to know is this money we are going to give to the Red Cross going to stay local in the community," Dolan said.
Finance committee members said they realize the important work the Red Cross provides, adding that the Red Cross must go before the council and its funding will likely be restored.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
