Red Cross Flood Relief Continues in the Greater Lehigh Valley
News Release: August 3, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley continues to help families affected by flooding as a result of Tropical Depression Ivan.
“Those who have been affected, both physically and emotionally, by the flooding should contact the local Red Cross,” said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services. “Our job is to provide for the immediate emergency needs of people affected – that may include meals, a safe place to stay, toiletry items, snacks, clean-up kits, clothing or emotional counseling. Our Red Cross family services volunteers are ready to help.
“We encourage individuals to stop by our two service centers, the disaster recovery center or our offices to ask questions and talk about their needs. In addition, Red Cross is canvassing affected neighborhoods in Red Cross-marked vehicles to speak with residents and provide information.
“If you have any doubt about what services you may be entitled to, please stop by one of our centers or call us at (610) 865-4400. If you are calling on behalf of someone who needs help, please be sure to have the person’s full name, address and telephone number so that we can contact them as soon as possible.”
Red Cross representatives are on-site at the following locations to assist residents with support services, mental health counseling, free clean-up kits, toiletry items, snacks, beverages and flood prevention and recovery information:
• St. Anthony’s Youth Center, 901 Washington Street, Easton; Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (A cold lunch is also provided at this location.)
• Lower Mt. Bethel Township Building (formerly the Centerfield School), Route 611, 6984 S. Delaware Drive, Lower Mt. Bethel; Sept. 27 through Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, Forks Township Community Center, 500 Zucksville Road, Easton. FEMA representatives are available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Red Cross representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Red Cross (Main Office), 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem; Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and;
• Red Cross Branch Office, 129 N. First Street, Lehighton; Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In addition, the Red Cross has set up a mental health assistance line at (610) 332-1589. Callers are asked to leave their name, address, telephone number and the best time for a professional counselor to return their call. Calls will be returned as soon as possible during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calls received after 4:30 p.m. will be returned the next business day.
Callers with a mental health emergency and living in Northampton County are advised to call Northampton County Emergency Services at (610) 252-9060; Lehigh County residents should call Lehigh County Crisis Intervention at (610) 782-3127.
All 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 hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan 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.
