Buddy Spong, the new executive director of the local chapter of The American Red Cross, was guest speaker at the regular Wednesday noon luncheon meeting of The Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills at National Golf Club.

Spong's enthusiastic presentation reminded Kiwanis members that The American Red Cross does many more things than just have blood drives.

Spong recently retired after nearly 32 years as a teacher and administrator at Sandhills Community College. During that time he also volunteered for 22 years with the Salvation Army, serving recently as its chairman. He is known for his tenure for two terms on the Moore County Board of Education as well as supporting many community activities.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross, which was founded in Moore County in 1919, now employs Buddy Spong as its full-time executive director. He is available and enjoys speaking to local organizations and clubs about the many services offered by The American Red Cross locally, nationally and internationally.

"There is an opportunity to save a life everyday of the year by giving blood," said Spong. "We have immediate need for O negative and A negative blood. Each pint of donated blood can save three lives."

The American Red Cross doesn't buy or sell blood; however, it does recover its costs.

In addition, The Red Cross arrives next after fire trucks have been there and it provides food, clothing and a place to stay for the victims of a fire or other disaster.

"We are involved in Armed Forces Emergency Services providing contact for phone calls to loved ones during emergencies involving service personnel. Locally we are promoting heart defibulators for golf courses. Pet first aid class will be offered in addition to providing shelter in disasters. And First Aid Kits and Emergency Radios are available for sale," said Spong.

More and more Americans are becoming organ donors. "One donor can save the lives of up to 36 people," said Spong. "The Red Cross handles the details and encourages the giving of human organs upon death so that others may live longer."

Fund raising is a big part of the responsibility of the executive director, and Spong announced a huge raffle which has just begun and will run between now and St. Patrick's Day, unless "sold out" sooner. It is limited to only 500 raffle tickets which are available on the basis of one raffle ticket for every $100 a person contributes to The American Red Cross Moore County Chapter. There is no limit to the number of tickets a person can acquire. The prize is a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV vehicle plus $2,500 worth of America's Fuel. Both are being donated by Sandhills Kiwanian Bill Smith of Bill Smith Ford, Lincoln and Mercury in Southern Pines. Contact The American Red Cross Moore County Chapter at 244 SW Broad St. in Southern Pines or call 692-8571 for more information regarding the raffle or any of the many programs of your local Red Cross.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills, its programs and community enhancing activities for the children and youths of Moore County contact its current president, Wendy Russell, at 692-8272 or see its website at www.sandhillskiwanis.org .