Red Cross Appeals to American Public to Donate to $100 Million National Disaster Relief Fund Campaign
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Providing Emotional Support to Hurricane Ike Victims Red Cross Appeals to American Public to Donate to $100 Million National Disaster Relief Fund Campaign |
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The American Red Cross has helped hundreds of thousands of people during back-to-back hurricanes Gustav and Ike - one of the biggest relief operations in Red Cross history. More than 20,000 Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground providing cots and blankets, hot meals, and emotional counseling. More than 900 evacuation centers were opened in 17 states - sheltering nearly 60,000 people at the peak - and more than 80,000 people were provided with health and mental health services.
This year has put a tremendous strain on Red Cross resources. In addition to the string of storms, the Red Cross has responded to a record number of tornadoes, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years and an active wildfire season.
In September, American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern announced a $100 million national fund-raising campaign to help the depleted national Disaster Relief Fund which allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. The fund gives people the chance to help anywhere in the nation whenever and wherever disaster strikes.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley has been charged with raising $318,000 by year's end as part of the national campaign.
How To Make a Contribution:
Phone: Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
Internet: Visit www.redcrosslv.org or www.redcross.org to make a secure online donation.
Check: Make checks payable to the American Red Cross and indicate "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line. Mail to: American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013 or American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Cell Phone: You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). You can send multiple donations depending on your carrier. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 690,000
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.
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 thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter 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.