With hurricane season in full force the Bulloch Chapter of the American Red Cross is giving Statesboro an opportunity to support local relief efforts by just dining out with friends or family.
    The Red Cross’ Hurricane Relief Party Night is set for Monday at Chili’s in Statesboro from 4 p.m. until the restaurant closes.
    For each customer who mentions the benefit, Chili’s will donate 10 percent of their meal cost to the Red Cross, said Lynn Bowen, executive director of the Bulloch chapter. The event is a part of Chili’s Give Back Night, which provides fundraisers for non-profit organizations.
    Bowen said all donations would stay in the local area providing relief for victims of natural disasters. Hurricane season began June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30, increasing the need for the Red Cross’ relief services.
    “The American Red Cross, in addition to the blood services that most people are familiar with, provides relief services for folks who have home fires, floods, tornados and hurricanes,” Bowen said.
    Bowen called the night a “family oriented event” with door prize and raffle drawings, and live radio coverage. Children can have balloon animals made, their faces painted and view local fire trucks on display.
    During its last fiscal year, the Bulloch Chapter provided services to 440 people in the six county area it covers, including Bulloch, Candler, Toombs, Montgomery, Jeff Davis and Wheeler counties, making fundraising a vital part of its operation, Bowen said.
    “Every penny comes from donations,” she said. “In the last fiscal year that just ended June 30 this chapter expended alone in excess of $52,000 in our local area and every penny of that had to be raised.”
    In addition to its blood and relief services, the Red Cross also provides a number of classes and trainings, including health and community safety classes, babysitting classes, and CPR and first aid training.