ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512150001
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA P. SMITH STAFF WRITER
The Roanoke Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross plans to hold a grand opening for a Troutville satellite office Dec. 18.
Betty Whitaker, assistant director of health and safety at the Roanoke chapter office, said the increased number of calls and the growth of Botetourt County showed a need for a more convenient office.
The Red Cross first envisioned a satellite office in Troutville in October, and within two months it had enough space to hold classes and the equipment, and to provide services to the community.
"The community wants us to be there." Whitaker said, "They've really taken the ownership."
The Troutville Town Council voted to provide rent-free space for the office on the second floor of the Town Hall.
Botetourt County businesses donated equipment and furnishings for the office.
"This is what makes it so neat," Whitaker said, "It is a home-grown Red Cross."
The satellite office will give Botetourt residents access to all of the Red Cross services the Roanoke chapter provides, including CPR training classes, disaster training classes, and instructor-level classes.
The office also will allow a disaster team to be readily available for the residents of Botetourt when needed.
The office will be staffed by volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can be reached at 966-4921.
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