Salt Lake City has been chosen as the site for the 1998 annual convention of the American Red Cross.
Richard Linford, chairman of the Salt Lake Area Chapter of the Red Cross, said he received a phone call this week from national Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole, who confirmed that the organization's board of governors voted for Salt Lake City.The convention is expected to draw 1,700 participants.
"Ms. Dole told me that Salt Lake was chosen because of its superb convention facilities and hotel accommodations and outstanding vol-unteer participation and program implementation," said Linford.
"The timing of her notification couldn't have been better, since Gov. Mike Leavitt will sign a proclamation (Thursday) acknowledging the contributions of all Utah Red Cross chapters to our state."
Linford said 1998 will be the first time Salt Lake City has hosted the American Red Cross, noting that it will coincide with the Salt Lake chapter's 100th anniversary. In 1898, local Red Cross volunteers supported relief efforts for the Spanish-American War.
Lois Barker, executive director of the local chapter, said her 20-person staff helps residents in Salt Lake, south Davis, Summit and Tooele counties. The chapter also is the state coordinator for the ARC.
She said the local group recently received national funding for a new nurse aid training program which helps low-income people, find better-paying jobs in health care. The national grant also funds a new Community Disaster Education program to help local residents prepare to help themselves in event of a disaster.
Barker said local Red Cross programs in 1993-94 reached some 79,000 people, including emergency support for 935 who needed aid following the destruction of their homes by fire and flood. Volunteers also contributed time and money to help earthquake victims in Los Angeles, flood victims in the southeast United States and Rwanda refugees.
Local Red Cross programs include disaster services, help in paying utility bills; budget counseling for those hit with unexpected medical bills; emergency communications services for local military personnel and their families in times of personal crisis; first aid, water safety and CPR training; and HIV/AIDS, migrant worker and nurse aid training.
Total revenue for the local chapter in fiscal 1993-'94 was $1.31 million.
Donations to the local Red Cross chapter may be made by calling 328-9272 or writing to P.O. Box 526279, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-6279.