American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley Assists
Unprecedented Number of Residents Affected by Disaster
News Release: January 30, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley has responded to an increased number of disasters in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties, resulting in the depletion of its budgeted disaster relief funds. The Red Cross relies on financial gifts from donors to enable the chapter to provide food, shelter, clothing, counseling and other assistance to those in need following a disaster.
During the first seven months of the chapter's fiscal year, it responded to 48 percent more disasters compared to the same time last year and has provided assistance to 516 individuals, an increase of 54 percent over last year during the same time. In only seven months, the Red Cross has already exceeded its 12-month budget of $70,000 for disaster relief assistance.
"Just this past weekend, Red Cross responded to fires in four separate communities which displaced a total of 30 adults and 10 children. Our core group of disaster volunteers worked tirelessly in the late evening and the wee hours of the morning assisting families in South
Whitehall Township, Bethlehem, Lake Harmony and Allentown," said John Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
It costs about $2,500 to provide emergency disaster assistance for a family of five forced from their home. That assistance includes a safe place to stay, clothing, coats, shoes and meals. That cost increases if family members need medication replacement, new eyeglasses or replacement of critical medical equipment lost in a disaster.
"Each family receives services based on their immediate needs and under the guidelines as set by national Red Cross," said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services. "This could mean lodging in addition to the basic necessities of meals and clothing."
"We can't remember a year where we have responded to so many fires as we have in the last several months," said Hughes. "Our disaster response volunteers and staff are working around the clock in all kinds of weather to provide for the immediate needs of families whose homes are damaged by fire.
"The Red Cross will continue to provide food, shelter, clothing, counseling and other assistance to disaster victims," he said. "However, we can't do it alone. We can only provide services to the extent that our community supports us through their voluntary donations of time and money."
If you'd like to help, call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 865-4400 to volunteer or donate. Donations to the Red Cross can be sent to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcrosslv.org.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
