$1.5 Million ... And Counting: Community Makes Hefty Contribution to Hurricane Katrina Relief
News Release: September 23, 2005
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Lehigh Valley residents have embraced those in need by donating $1.5 million to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as of
Sept. 23. That $1.5 million is expected to swell as donations are still expected from countless spontaneous fund-raising events by schools, restaurants, and businesses; employee and corporate campaigns; and faith-based organizations, to name a few.
“From a margarine tub of coins to a $10,000 personal check, people of all ages and walks of life have given to help families affected by this catastrophic hurricane,” said Janice Osborne, director of communications and marketing at the local Red Cross. “This afternoon a four-year-old girl marched into the Red Cross with more than $600 she raised selling lemonade. On top of that, she wanted to donate the $5 the tooth fairy left under her pillow.”
Locally, 94 families from Mississippi and Louisiana have moved to the Lehigh Valley to be near family and friends following Katrina. A total of 134 adults and 55 children, between the ages of 10 months and 17 years, were provided lodging, meals, clothing, shoes, medications and other essentials. It’s not known at this time how many families will stay in the Lehigh Valley or will return to their native states.
The Red Cross has projected at least a $2 billion tab to cover the response to Hurricane Katrina, and untold additional expenses for Hurricane Rita. So far the organization has raised nearly $854 million, and already spent or committed $700 million for Katrina relief.
Red Cross shelters are already open and filling in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi in response to Hurricane Rita.
As with other disasters, the Red Cross has pre-positioned supplies as close to the areas expected to be impacted by the storm, including 145,000 heater meals, 20,000 cots, 34 kitchens and food for kitchens, around Dallas and San Antonio.
All American 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 this disaster 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 a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
