Local Volunteer Travels to California
to Provide Mental Health Services
News Release: October 28, 2007
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Lisa Taylor of Allentown flew to San Diego yesterday (10/27) to join hundreds of mental health professionals trained by the Red Cross in disaster response to provide services to thousands of people affected by the California wildfires.

Taylor is the second local Red Cross volunteer to go to California. On Oct. 24, volunteer John “Bob” Newkirk of Easton flew to San Diego to help with client casework.

Taylor, employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Allentown, is a 14-year volunteer with the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. She is a seasoned Red Cross mental health volunteer, having served in past disasters such as Hurricane Katrina; the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in Shanksville, and in New York City for an extended two-month service assignment following the attacks. She has traveled all over the country and aided families and emergency workers in the most devastating of situations: the Mississippi River flood, the Los Angeles earthquake, the 1994 USAir crash in Pittsburgh, TWA Flight 800 crash off Long Island, the ValuJet crash in Florida and the EgyptAir Flight 900 near Rhode Island.

“Anyone who experiences a disaster can be affected in some way, whether directly or indirectly through location, loved ones or exposure to media coverage,” said Rob Yin, manager, disaster health and mental health services, at national Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C. “Attending to the mental health needs of those affected is an important part of the larger Red Cross disaster response.”

People interested in helping the American Red Cross can do so by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide the essentials of emergency assistance, food, shelter, mental health counseling and other basic necessities to victims of all types of disasters. This relief is only possible through donor support and the dedication of thousands of volunteers who give freely of their time.

The American Red Cross honors donor intent. Those wishing to designate their donation to a specific disaster should do so at the time of their donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 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.redcrosslv.org or www.redcross.org

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 680,000 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 23,000 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.