BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross has issued a plea for donations in the wake of reduced individual-donor funding and cutbacks from municipalities, United Way and corporate sponsors.

Red Cross officials told Baldwin County Commissioners last week that donors this month earmarked funds for tornado victims in north Alabama, and the recession has decreased donations from both the public and private sectors.

“People normally giving to our local Red Cross chapter are giving to tornado victims, as they should,” a Red Cross spokesman told commissioners. “And some individuals can’t meet their own financial needs. But we need assistance with the hurricane season approaching.”

The local chapter is seeking gifts from partnerships, sending letters to individual donors and planning fundraisers, including a corn boil and raffle June 17 in Pine Grove. They also are seeking donated office space in south Baldwin County.

The chapter serves the state’s 14 southernmost counties and has a staff of 16.5 paid employees.

The number one regional disaster is single family house fires. Spokesmen said they provide $800 immediately to a family of four if a house is destroyed.

To send donations earmarked for this region, send checks to American Red Cross, Baldwin County Donation, P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633.