National Campaign to Raise $20 Million for Disaster Relief; Small Nationwide Disasters Drain Funds
News Release: May 21, 2001
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross has launched a nationwide fund-raising campaign to raise $20 million by June 30 to support disaster relief efforts in communities across the country.
Pennsylvania has been assessed $1.9 million of the total amount. Locally, the Lehigh Valley Chapter has been asked to raise 6 percent, or $64,000, of the state assessment.
"The American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, around the clock, 365 days a year," said Dr. John Clizbe, vice president of Disaster Services at the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. "Due to many costly disasters and the absence of major high visibility disasters our costs have outpaced our contributions from the public."
Nationwide, the Red Cross has spent more than $33 million providing relief to the victims of almost 300 major disasters in 45 states - but has raised only $20 million toward these efforts, putting a significant strain on the organization's resources. Disasters such as floods in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida; extreme cold and ice storms in Arkansas; and a windstorm in Ohio are some examples of disasters that have occurred since July 1, 2000. From Feb. 1 to March 28, 2001 alone, the Red Cross has responded to 18 tornadoes, floods and windstorms in 11 states.
The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund supports relief for the victims of widespread disaster such as hurricanes and floods, as well as individuals and families in local communities throughout the country hit hard every day by house fires and other disasters.
As the Red Cross heads into the very active and dangerous tornado and hurricane seasons, it must quickly build its financial strength, say Red Cross officials in Washington. Without public support, a single hurricane or other major disaster - or more of the widespread and less visible disasters - could deplete the Disaster Relief Fund.
In the Lehigh Valley, the Red Cross has provided disaster relief assistance to 455 individuals - most due to dwelling fires. "Fortunately, the Lehigh Valley area has not been hit with a major disaster so far this fiscal year," said John Hughes, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Chapter, American Red Cross. "Our largest expense for disaster relief this year has been in response to small disasters such as house and apartment fires. That assistance may include providing the means for individuals and families to pay for what they need most - for example, groceries, new clothes, new shoes, lodging if displaced from their home, or prescription medicines. Money to fund this assistance comes from donations from people in our community."
Contributions to support the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross can be made by check payable to the Lehigh Valley Chapter, American Red Cross, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017. On the memo line, write: Disaster Relief Fund. You may also call 1-800-HELP NOW or donate online at www.redcrosslv.org.
The Lehigh Valley Red Cross serves more than 620,000 residents in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to nearly 15,500 Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information about your local Red Cross call the Lehigh Valley American Red Cross at (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
