Red Cross on the Scene for Double Trouble Hurricanes; Chapter Employee in Florida to
Assist in Long-Term Recovery Efforts
News Release: September 16, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
With two high-impact hurricanes churning at once, the American Red Cross is providing massive disaster relief assistance to those in need. The Red Cross is on the ground from Florida to Louisiana offering shelter, food and water to thousands of people. More shelters are expected to open as Ivan makes his way north. Meantime, Hurricane Jeanne’s intense rainfall over Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands has created serious flooding conditions. The American Red Cross is sending workers into individual communities to provide assistance.
The Red Cross is also fully engaged in long-term recovery for the victims of hurricanes Charley and Frances. Volunteers from across the country are on the scene along the East Coast, staffing shelters, serving meals, comforting victims and providing family assistance to those feeling the trauma of an unusually active Hurricane season.
This morning (9/16) Kathleen Hennessey, community education specialist for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, flew to Orlando, Fla., to assist with the ongoing efforts to meet the needs of residents affected by Hurricane Frances. “I have always been a ‘caretaker’ by nature,” said Hennessey, a registered nurse and five-year Red Cross employee. “I volunteered for this assignment because of the need for assistance and felt that my training would be beneficial. I look forward to having a rewarding and fulfilling experience helping others.”
Hennessey, an Allentown resident, is the second local Red Cross representative to go to Florida. Red Cross volunteer Joan Steinmetz of Orefield returned Sept. 7 from a two-week assignment during hurricanes Charley and Frances. Other trained local Red Cross volunteers and employees are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.
You can help the victims of these and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org. or www.redcrosslv.org.
