The Amerman Fund is a unique outgrowth of Barbara Amerman's tenure as Executive Director of the Anacortes/San Juan Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

While in that role she would frequently help struggling lower income families out of her own pocket if no other funds were available.

Following her retirement her colleagues at the Chapter office established the Amerman Fund to carry on the work she had started at her own expense. The fund is used to provide assistance with utility bills, emergency temporary shelter, clothing vouchers and other services under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors of the Red Cross Chapter.

Actual administration of the fund is handled by a volunteer caseworker who works closely with other local agencies such as the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and others to ensure best use of the available funds.

Major contributors to the fund in recent years have included Soroptimist International of Anacortes, Anacortes Noon Kiwanis Club, St Vincent de Paul, Christ Episcopal Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church and many other individual donors who know about the fund and support its goals.

The Amerman fund is one small link in the social conscience chain which helps to keep heat in the homes, lights on and food on the table.