While the Red Cross may no longer have a physical address in south Baldwin County due to resource cuts, the Red Cross has no plans of limiting services offered to the area.

Last Wednesday, the newly seated Baldwin County Commission voted to pull its $18,000 annual funding to the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The decision from the commission will have a far-reaching impact on many in Baldwin County because the cut will limit the services the Red Cross can afford to provide in the area.

The organization, which provides emergency assistance and other necessary services to communities across the country was banking on the funds from the Baldwin County Commission for the upcoming year, but the organization’s budget now includes $18,000 that will never make it to their bank account.

As a result, the Red Cross is considering closing the doors of its South Baldwin service center. If this location is closed, all operations will have to be handled out of the center in Bay Minette. The Red Cross’ current plan has the service center in Foley closing by the beginning of 2011.

The current location in Foley is more easily accessible to residents of Foley, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and surrounding areas. The Red Cross uses both their locations in Baldwin County to train volunteers for emergency situations, such as hurricanes.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross depends heavily on funds not only from organizations like the Baldwin County Commission, but also from donations of both time and money from those in the community. The Red Cross is also a United Way Partner Agency and will benefit from the United Way’s campaign, which is currently underway.

The Red Cross was not the only organization to lose allocations from the Baldwin County Commission last week. The allocations to the Baldwin County Heritage Museum were cut in half. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum was already in dire straights finically. Most of the museum’s money comes from the commission and donations. There are no paid employees at the museum. The money constraints have already caused the museum to limit its days of operation.

The commission also voted for budget cuts, which will equal $500,000 worth of employee layoffs.

According to a press release, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross thinks this budget cut will greatly impact the organization’s ability to plan and prepare for situations that may arise in this area.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Red Cross please call 251-544-6100 or mail to P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633.