AMERICAN RED CROSS CONTINUES DISASTER RESPONSE
IN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Dayton, Ohio, June 24, 2008 – The American Red Cross anticipates spending more than $15 million in relief efforts for the victims of spring flooding, fires and tornadoes across several states. From Kansas to West Virginia to California, the Red Cross is providing clean up supplies, maintaining dozens of shelters and distributing tens of thousands of meals. Several volunteers and staff members from the region have already travelled out to impacted areas to provide assistance. Additionally, volunteers have been active locally, responding to several house fires over the past month.
Already, more than 1,400 Red Cross workers are assisting people in the affected area, and the organization is gearing up to provide additional relief. The current relief operations follow two extremely busy months for the Red Cross, with 27 disaster operations in April and May. These operations will cost the Red Cross millions of dollars and the help of the American public and the citizens of Greater Dayton is needed to meet these growing needs.
“Our first priority in flooding is to provide shelter and food for people in the immediate area until the waters recede and recovery can begin,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Disaster Services for the American Red Cross. “But the help we give depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public.”
Over the past days, the Red Cross has responded to tornados in Kansas, and floods in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and West Virginia. Thousands of people are staying in more than 41 shelters and more than 115,000 meals and snacks have been served. This spring, the American Red Cross responded to more than 30 large scale disasters due to severe weather.
The Red Cross is coordinating with local emergency officials, community organizations and faith-based groups to pre-position relief supplies, such as cots, blankets and comfort kits, and is preparing to open additional shelters if needed.
“We are concerned for the more than 500,000 people who live within five miles of this stretch of the Mississippi River as the floods move south,” Becker said. “Red Cross chapters along the river are monitoring the situation, and are prepared to mobilize resources to respond.”
In order to quickly respond to anyone with disaster-caused needs, the Red Cross must have money available immediately. This emergency resource is provided by the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Visit www.redcross.org to find out the latest information and learn how you can help . The American Red Cross utilizes cash donations to the "Disaster Relief Fund" to provide families with the support they need - shelter, medicine, food and other basic necessities. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time by visiting www.dac.redcross.org or calling 937-222-6711.
About the American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter
The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness and response, and health and safety education to residents of Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, as well as assistance to families with members in the military. The Chapter also operates Emergency Housing Programs in Montgomery and Greene counties, and led by volunteers, responds to more than 200 local disaster incidents each year.
All local Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of area disasters by making a financial gift to the Dayton Area Chapter, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Contributions may be sent to the Dayton Area Chapter, P.O. Box 517, Dayton, Ohio. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.dac.redcross.org.
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