The Bulloch Chapter of the American Red Cross is hoping suits, ties and usual work wares remain in their closets Friday, March 25, when the organization holds its 12th Annual Dress Down Day for Disaster.
      The American Red Cross in Bulloch, Candler, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Toombs and Wheeler counties will provide individuals an opportunity to show support for the organization, by offering a chance to wear a special Red Cross t-shirt at work.
      The charitable organization is partnering with local businesses, to offer "Dress Down For Disaster" shirts, which can be signed up for, purchased and worn by employees.
      "Dress Down Day provides not only a way for people to give, but to show their support as well," said Mary Beth McLeod, public information officer for the Bulloch Chapter if the Red Cross. "It helps to show the presence and support in the community. It is a really great way to get involved."
      According to McLeod, the "Dress Down" effort is in its second decade of existence and has expanded its range to more counties than ever before.
      "This is the 12th year the program has been running. It has been very successful in the past," she said. "Last year we had more than 100 businesses participate, which is really great. As we expand our coverage, we are trying to get all the new counties involved and have even more success."
      The Red Cross, which relies on community volunteers and donations to help prepare for, prevent and handle emergencies, relies on programs like "Dress Down for Disaster" to supply much needed resources.
      "[The money raised] makes sure that all of the volunteers we have in those counties actually have the resources they need to provide help," said McLeod. "Our volunteers respond 24 hours a day, 365 days each year; but they can not provide any help if they do not have resources."
      The organization shelters, feeds and supports victims of disaster; it also supplies nearly half of the United States' donated blood.
      According to the Red Cross, the Bulloch Chapter provided emergency food, clothing and shelter to more than 400 local residents who lost their homes to fire last year.
      Registration to participate in this year's program is simple, said McLeod; and due to the amount of interest shown thus far, can be done after the original deadline.
      "All a company needs to do is contact the Bulloch Chapter of the American Red Cross and they will get a sign up sheet for their employees," McLeod said. "We will deliver the shirts and collect donations then."
      "We are having a pretty good response thus far, so we are looking at extending the deadline another week," she said. "We do have a good bit of interest, and we would like to give everyone who wants to be involved a chance to sign up."
      The Dress Down Day t-shirts can be purchased for $10 and the deadline to order shirts is March 11. For more information, call the Bulloch Chapter of the American Red Cross at (912) 764-4468.

Jeff Harrison can be reached at (912) 489-9454.