It was a busy year for our local Red Cross chapter, and the statistics back it up.

According to its annual report, the Mower County Chapter of the Red Cross responded to 15 local disasters in 2009 and 11 residential fires; distributed 1,923 meals during the fire and tornado; provided disaster education to 2,097 people; provided lifesaving training to 4,072 people; served 634 people through the Personal Care Shelf; and collected 2,729 units of blood.

What may be more incredible is that 99 percent of the chapter’s workforce is made up of volunteers.

Red cross officials and volunteers were assets to our communities this past year, and we commend their efforts that help residents in a time of need.