2 Red Cross Shelters to Remain Open; Agency Begins Damage Assessment of Easton Residences

"While the number of individuals staying at the shelters is minimal, Red Cross will continue to provide shelter and food for displaced families," said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services. "Thankfully, the majority of residents living along the Delaware are not experiencing the type of flood damage that occurred in September 2004 and April 2005."

Red Cross shelters provide a safe haven for residents to spend the day and night, get a hot meal or something to drink, emotional counseling, up-to-date information, and other items to meet their immediate emergency needs. Red Cross is partnering with Salvation Army and local faith-based groups to provide assistance such as meal distribution and staffing.

"Our community really comes together during times like these," said Miller. "We are truly grateful and amazed at the spontaneous support we are receiving. Red Robin Restaurant in Easton, Wegmans in Lower Nazareth Township, and an Easton family who owns a catering business donated enough food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. People are walking into the Red Cross and simply asking 'how can I help?' "

Red Cross is also canvassing neighborhoods in downtown Easton to assess residential damage and to provide clean-up kits, fresh drinking water and snacks to residents who may be digging out.

"I am especially proud of our Red Cross volunteers. Many are working 12-hour shifts at the shelters. Others are distributing supplies to various locations or driving through neighborhoods providing assistance," John R. Hughes, executive director, stated. "Everything they do - whether it's answering a question from a caller or spending a night on a shelter cot - is critical to meeting our mission of helping people. The real heroes behind this week's Red Cross response are our volunteers.

"The Red Cross will continue to be a source of assistance and support in the Lehigh Valley when disasters such as these strike. And just as we depend on our volunteers to help us do our work, we depend on the donated dollar. We are not a government agency; our funding comes from the generosity of the general public.

"This week's flooding takes a bite out of our disaster assistance budget yet, we are confident that our donors will help to replenish the funds expended in providing assistance to those in need," said Hughes.

People interested in making a financial contribution to assist in this disaster and other Lehigh Valley disasters can do so by sending a check made payable to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017. On the memo line, please include the words "local disaster relief." Internet users can make a secure online donation at 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 about the local Red Cross or volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcrosslv.org