Red Cross low on cash; Chinese com. helps out

It is an organization among the first to respond in times of disaster, but this year, the Belize Red Cross Society is taking on a different kind of adversity: money troubles. This morning, the society got some relief as the Chinese community in Belize handed over a cheque for five thousand dollars, the result of several efforts, including the now annual Chinese food and crafts fair. According to Delsyia Goff, first vice president of the Belize Red Cross Society, the funds couldn’t have come at a better time.

Delsyia Goff, 1st Vice President, Bz. Red Cross Society

“Because of Hurricanes Keith and Iris, I guess a lot of our donors were running a little dry, so they did not come up with their usual amount of money. But this amount of money will go a very long way, and as usual, we have our day to day expenses to meet. And hence we cannot put anything on hold because of other disasters, or even the day to day operations of the Belize Red Cross. For each month we must come up with nothing less than fifteen thousand dollars to run the Red Cross, just the daily operations. And we solely depend on donations, so whatever the community donates, it goes a long way, because we do not receive a lot of privileges from the various companies, for example, a reduction here and there. So we have to depend on the people of Belize who donate, and this is really a timely donation.”

Fred Shyu, Pres., Bz-Taiwan Economic/Cultural Exchange

“This idea was first initiated by Ambassador Tsai, he tried to get everybody together from the Chinese speaking community to do something meaningful for the society. So by this token of contribution, I think we’re sending a message that together we also care for the development of the society.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Belize Red Cross, please visit their offices at the corner of Gabourel Lane and Handyside streets in Belize City.