March has been designated Red Cross Month, and to celebrate thelocal chapter is planning several fund-raising efforts to restoredepleted funds and prepare for the next major disaster, an officialsaid.

Layla Edwards, executive director of the Lincoln, Lawrence andPike county chapter of the American Red Cross, said immediate plansinclude raffling off an Easter basket for a March 24 drawing.Tickets will go on sale soon, but those interested in purchasing achance immediately can call the chapter office at 833-2771.

“A much larger raffle will follow,” Edwards said. “We’re stillworking on the details for that, and we still need some donateditems for prizes.”

Some items already set for the celebratory raffle includeartwork by local artists and monetary awards and gift certificatesto area businesses in varying amounts.

“We had artwork last year and it did very well in the time wehad,” Edwards said.

In addition, Tucker Peavey, Brookhaven High School’s athleticdirector and head football coach, has agreed to have the 2004 BHSstate championship football team autograph a football for inclusionin the raffle.

The local chapter is still compiling its list of items for theraffle and Edwards urged anyone who might be interested in making adonation to contact her.

A waiting list of those interested in purchasing tickets for theraffle is being compiled at the local American Red Cross chapter,and tickets are expected to go on sale within the next twoweeks.