PSA: Disaster Relief Fund Appeal

We are less than two weeks into hurricane season and already the Red Cross is facing the largest combined relief effort since last fall’s California wildfires. We are handling 11 major relief operations and the biggest flooding operation in 15 years. The current relief operations follow two extremely busy months for the Red Cross, with 27 disaster operations in April and May alone. 2008 is on track to break the US record for the number of twisters in a year, according to the National Weather Service. Our Disaster Relief Fund however is depleted. Red Cross has no more funds to continue our disaster relief operations estimated to cost upwards to $15 million to help these victims. The American Red Cross is Responding The American Red Cross and its partner organizations have opened 74 shelters with more than 7000 overnight stays. The Red Cross has served more than 260000 meals and snacks. 44 emergency response vehicles and 1500 Red Cross workers are on site in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and West Virginia. First aid and mental health staff are on site to provide counseling and support. Red Cross workers have distributed thousands of clean up supplies, including mops, brooms, work gloves and other items. Additional emergency response vehicles and volunteers are on en route. Through the “Safe and Well” Web site, the Red Cross provides an easy way to assist people in locating loved ones who evacuate their homes or communities. We Need Your Help.