A move to celebrate.Byline: The Register-Guard Three months ago, employees of the Lane County Chapter of the American Red Cross American Red Cross: see Red Cross. were about to move into expansive new headquarters at 862 Bethel Bethel, in the Bible Bethel (bĕth`əl) [Heb.,=house of God]. 1 Ancient city of central Palestine, the modern Baytin, the West Bank, N of Jerusalem. Drive. After successfully completing the first capital fund-raising drive Noun 1. fund-raising drive - a campaign to raise money for some cause fund-raising campaign, fund-raising effort crusade, campaign, cause, drive, effort, movement - a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported in its 84-year history, the agency was packed and ready to relocate into a complex that was three times larger than its cramped, inadequate offices near downtown Eugene. Instead of celebrating the long-awaited relocation, agency employees were horrified hor·ri·fy tr.v. hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing, hor·ri·fies 1. To cause to feel horror. See Synonyms at dismay. 2. To cause unpleasant surprise to; shock. to learn that vandals had broken into the new headquarters and inflicted more than $200,000 in malicious, sickening damage. Sinks and toilets were plugged, causing extensive water damage. Windows were shattered shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. and woodwork destroyed. A refrigerator, television and other items were shoved off a second-floor balcony to the newly tiled floor of a community room below. For the next three months, Red Cross officials worked out of boxes as their new headquarters was repaired. Any emotional letdown letdown 1. the sudden flush of milk flow that occurs when the calf begins to suck or when milking commences in a properly prepared cow. Depends for its occurrence on the release of oxytocin from the pituitary gland in response to massage of the teats and udder. from the vandalism was more than offset by an outpouring of emotional and financial support from Lane County residents, who were faithful to remember the agency that had so often come to their rescue in past times of crisis. Just a couple quick examples: When moving day finally arrived earlier this month, a local moving company donated its services, eliminating the need for agency employees to spend weeks moving materials and furnishings by car. To help safeguard against future acts of vandalism, a security company donated an alarm system for the new building. Despite the lengthy delay in moving to its new offices, Red Cross officials never missed a beat in responding to the Feb. 7 windstorm wind·storm n. A storm with high winds or violent gusts but little or no rain. windstorm A storm with high winds or violent gusts but little or no rain. . As they have many times in the past, dozens of well-trained agency volunteers quickly and effectively responded with a countywide relief effort, providing food, shelter and other assistance to those affected by the storm. The long-delayed completion of Red Cross' move to its new headquarters should be more than cause for celebration by the agency's staff and volunteers. It's something the entire county should applaud. |
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