By Joyce Moed

The American Red Cross, Broward County chapter, has received its first disaster-relief trailer in early October, thanks to a $15,000 donation from the Boca-based company Jarden Consumer Relations.

"We have a community fund, funded by our employees," said Rocki Rockingham, vice president of community relations and communication for Jarden.

Jarden donates quarterly from its community fund, and donations decisions are made by a board made up employees. This quarter it was decided to donate the trailer to the Red Cross because "we are a big supporter of the Red Cross because we feel it's an important organization with services so needed in our community," Rockingham said, "so we support them."

The trailer is an important addition for the Red Cross, Rockingham said, as it can be taken to any disaster area and can hold enough supplies to fill a shelter.

"It's really amazing the amount of items that can be put in this trailer," Rockingham said.

Although Jarden is located in Palm Beach County, it chose the Broward County chapter of the American Red Cross to which to donate a trailer, because its employees live throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. "So for us, Broward County is a primary county for us to support. It could be any one of our employees [needing help] at any time," Rockingham said.

When deciding which organizations to which to donate funds, Rockingham said they have three goals in their search: 1) organizations that help at risk-families, 2) families that help children and youth, and 3) food programs. And they always choose within the three counties.

"We have an employee committee that decides where are funds are directed," Rockingham said. Prior quarter Jarden donated funds to places such as Children's Place at Home Safe in Palm Beach, and the Red Cross in Palm Beach County.

"We think the Red Cross is an important organization," Rockingham said. "It's not government funded and it relies on donations. Donations are its main source of operation." She said it's an important organization because it offers services during hurricanes and fires, in addition to offering CPR, lifeguard and childcare training. "It provides these services free of charge to the community," she said. "We think its important on all levels to support these efforts."

The Broward County chapter of the American Red Cross is very grateful to Jarden for the trailer, said Tom McFadden, marketing and communications coordinator for the chapter.

"Basically the trailer has everything we would need to open an emergency trailer," he said. "The only it doesn't have is the building."

Items on the trailer include: 125 cots, trash cans, trash-can liners, bedding supplies, folding chairs, comfort kits containing snacks and drinks, plastic cups, flashlights, a fire extinguisher and folding tables.

"It also has the ability that we can set up our laptops and work on the trailer if need be," McFadden said.

"It means a lot because of the area we are in," he said, "and helps our ability to act quickly to disasters in our community. It's expanded our ability. Broward County is expanding so rapidly. We need to grow with it."