Red Cross Continues Shelter Operations; Awaits Opening of Roads to Begin Outreach Services
News Release: April 5, 2005
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley is prepared to begin outreach efforts to residents hit by this past weekend’s flooding once roads are open and safe for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
“Red Cross volunteers are prepared and our vehicles are stocked with supplies to help families disinfect and clean their homes,” said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services at the local Red Cross. “Bottled water, snacks and valuable information on what to do following a flood will be handed out.
“We’re working closely with Northampton County’s Emergency Management Agency to find out exactly when we will be allowed into the affected neighborhoods.”
To assist families affected by the flooding, Red Cross disaster cleanup kits are available at the Red Cross office, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem. Kits may be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each household is allowed one free kit. Each kit contains a push broom, wet mop, squeegee, corn broom, bucket, scrub brush, sponge, disinfectant, cleaner, bleach, rubber gloves and garbage bags.
The Red Cross shelter at St. Anthony’s Youth Center, 901 Washington Street in Easton remains open. Fifteen individuals have taken refuge at the shelter since Sunday. Red Cross shelters provide residents with a safe place to stay, food to eat, access to emotional counseling and other support information.
Anyone affected by flooding in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties, should call the local Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.
To assist victims of this flooding, residents are encouraged to make a financial gift or volunteer their time.
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 flooding 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 or www.redcross.org.
Anyone interested in volunteering, should call Bob Duld, director of volunteer and community services, at (610) 865-4400, ext. 229.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
