By Robert Barron Staff Writer

Hurricane Rita evacuee Cassie Franklin said she was surprised to be turned away by the local Red Cross office when she sought help because the national Red Cross had not provided guidance on disbursing financial assistance to Rita victims.

Franklin is one of a number of evacuees who has sought help from the Red Cross and other agencies in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Franklin and her husband, Don, and two girls, ages 9 and 4, came to Enid because Don's mother lives here.

They evacuated their home in Vidor, Texas, when it was threatened by Hurricane Rita. When they began to run out of money, they had no choice but to go to the Red Cross for help, Cassie Franklin said.

"I never felt so uncomfortable. It's enough to have to humble yourself to even ask for help, but we need it. All we needed was food and a little money," she said.

However, hurricane victims who temporarily are relocated to Enid need to be aware the Red Cross is not authorized to simply hand out money to victims, according to local executive director Robin Unruh. There are guidelines the Red Cross must follow, Unruh said, and with as large a catastrophe as the double hurricanes, Red Cross officials also are required to look out for fraud.

When Franklin and her mother-in-law went to the office of Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Franklin said they were told there was no money available for Hurricane Rita victims.

She said she also was insulted when Unruh told her the application would be cross-referenced for possible fraud.

"It made me feel very uncomfortable. I donate to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and it was unacceptable the way they made me feel," she said.

Unruh said the process of receiving funding is complicated, and the national Red Cross office has not yet released funds for Hurricane Rita victims.

Money that has been collected is being used for on-site aid for people in the affected areas, she said.

Unruh said she did not intend for Franklin to think she was accusing her of fraud. She had just received an alarm from national headquarters about cases of fraud involving Katrina and she is required to notify applicants all cases will be cross-referenced and instances of fraud will be acted upon.

Unruh then directed Franklin's family to the Salvation Army and other local agencies that provide assistance with medicine, glasses and hygiene needs. If the Franklins had needed shelter, Unruh said she could have provided it.

"I told them when we get guidance to give financial assistance, they can return, and I explained how we have to wait for damage assessment. I'm not accusing anyone of fraud. We've had no cases of fraud here," Unruh said.

After talking with the News -- Eagle, Unruh said she called Franklin and the two worked out the miscommunication.

Franklin said she was satisfied with the response, and she talked with Unruh for a long time.

"The benefits, coincidentally, will be available beginning next week," Franklin said. "I accepted her apology because I don't hold grudges."

Unruh said her funds are for normal assistance, such as would be the case from a fire. She said the national Red Cross office is trying to treat Hurricane Rita in that manner.

"We can open a shelter if needed and provide mass care, shelter, food, medical, mental health needs. That's the way Katrina was for two weeks," she said.

With Hurricane Katrina, she said, assistance was provided on a bulk distribution basis, according to family size.

"That's not normally done. We usually provide a voucher for a specific store," she said.

When Hurricane Rita struck parts of Texas and Louisiana, the Red Cross was attempting to return to normal procedures, Unruh said, knowing fewer homes would be damaged. Red Cross is performing a damage assessment and will not release Hurricane Rita funds until that is completed.

Franklin said her family was treated well by the Salvation Army.

They were given groceries to last about two days and money for a tank of gasoline.

The next day, they returned and obtained clothing from the Salvation Army store.

"It will be about three to six weeks before we can go home, and I'm thankful I have a place to stay or I would be sleeping on the street," Franklin said.

All donations to the Red Cross that have been collected locally for hurricane relief efforts go directly to the national office, Unruh said. Local offices provide food, shelter and immediate needs and are reimbursed by the national office.

Unruh said the Red Cross will come up with means to provide assistance for victims of Hurricane Rita, but they just have to determine the scope of damage from the latest storm.

Aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina did not come until 10 to 14 days afterward, she said.

"I feel good about doing a good job coordinating local agencies to help out," Unruh said.