As part of a nationwide effort by the American Red Cross to raise money in case of natural disasters or emergencies, the Southeast Arkansas chapter began its second annual bucket drop Friday in Pine Bluff and White Hall.
Friday, volunteers held red buckets at several businesses to collect donations from people passing by and will continue the event through Saturday.
The red buckets, which contained the slogan, “Every red cent counts,” have been placed at Cranford’s in White Hall, Wal Mart Supercenter, USA Drug on 28th Avenue, Harding Avenue, and Dollarway Road and at Brookshire’s on Hazel Street, Camden Road and Harding Avenue.
Volunteers Sonja Walker and Barbara Davis stood outside Brookshire’s on 28th Avenue and Hazel Street accepting donations from customers Friday. Although it was Walker’s first year to volunteer, she was determined to do so despite being on crutches.
“We just want to raise as much as possible,” Walker said. “If you have a dollar put it in there.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
She said collections were going well, adding that Friday they had to empty their bucket twice.
For Davis, this was her second year to volunteer.
“We just want to help the community,” she said. “We want to help the less fortunate.”
The Southeast Arkansas chapter of the Red Cross is known for helping people in need, such as residents whose homes have burned.
A non-government agency, Red Cross relies solely on donations. It provides domestic disaster relief, community services and support and sponsors blood drives, according to redcross.org .
Several area residents stopped by the red buckets to make contributions Friday at Brookshire’s.
Constance Faucett said she gave because her son was once a volunteer and she believed God spoke to her about giving.
Taquanna Johnson said she did so because she just wanted to help the community.
Walker said since a lot of people heard about the bucket drop on the news, many people came out to donate.
USA Drug on 28th Avenue also had volunteers nearby including David Morgan, Angela Melhorn, and Linda Morgan who participated Friday.
Morgan said he had been there since 1 p.m. and planned on staying until 4 p.m. He said many people had given.
“We have had a pretty good turn out,” Morgan said.
Morgan said he feels that all of the locations had done well.
“We’ve been getting ones, fives and tens all day,” he said.
This is their second year to volunteer.
When asked why she wanted to donate, customer Irene Byrd said, “Well, they’re in need.”