Bourbon County Red Cross chapter celebrates 90 years

Local officials are planning to throw a party later this month in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"It's mainly a celebration, 90 years of the American Red Cross in Bourbon County," local chapter manager Patty Gorman said. "We have more than 80 or 90 volunteers, and they have made the Red Cross what it is."

The event, which will follow a United Service Organizations (USO) theme, will take place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on April 28 at the Elk's Lodge, 111 W. 19th St., and is open to the public. The USO, formed in 1941 at the request of then-president Franklin Roosevelt, is a private, non-profit organization that provides morale and recreational services to uniformed United States military personnel worldwide.

In accordance with the USO theme, guests are encouraged to dress in patriotic red, white and blue attire, while military personnel should wear his or her service uniform and hat. Prizes will be awarded during the event for the "Best Patriotic Dress," and the "Best in Uniform," a statement from the agency said.

The cost for the event is $20, which includes a KC strip steak dinner and dance featuring music provided by a local disc jockey. A live auction of various items will also take place, with sale proceeds benefiting the local Red Cross chapter and staying within the community, Gorman said. A number of current local military personnel and military veterans will be honored at the event.

The American Red Cross, founded in 1881, provides emergency and disaster services to communities in more than 800 chapters nationwide. There are more than one million Red Cross volunteers nationwide and more than 30,000 employees who provide aid to families recovering from disasters across the country.

The organization also trains more than 12 million people in live-saving skills, and also supplies blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation. Volunteers also help when needed following the occurrence of disasters in other countries across the globe.

Tickets can be purchased at the local Red Cross office, 116 S. Main St., at the Country Cupboard, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165, or from any Red Cross board member. Call Gorman at (620) 223-0980 for more information.