American Red Cross in dire need of funds

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Theresa House
Public Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2008

American Red Cross in dire need of funds

RICHMOND, Va.—Wednesday night nearly 34,000 displaced hurricane victims spent the night in Red Cross shelters scattered across 12 states. A few nights before, as many as 58,000 people stayed in Red Cross shelters.The storm may have passed, but the relief operation is just beginning.

That’s why Red Cross leaders are asking that donor support continue, only more of it.

“Even though Gustav did not bring the devastation that Katrina did, it was still a powerful storm and wrecked havoc with the lives of thousands of Americans,” said Greater Richmond Chapter CEO Reginald Gordon. “We expect to soon be providing as many as 400,000 meals a day with an estimated total response cost of $25-30 million. We need the public’s help.”

In this Gustav relief operation—the largest since Katrina—the Red Cross is mounting a major feeding effort to care for those without food or power, or who may not be able to return home. Right now, as many as 800,000 people are without power on the Gulf Coast, and may not have power restored for another two to eight weeks.

Not only is the Red Cross caring for thousands of Gustav victims, the organization also is gearing up for upcoming storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine.

“Ike has the potential of being one of the largest storms we have faced in many years,” said Gordon. “The needs will not be known for a few days, but we must be able to respond immediately.”

How to Donate
To help Gustav and other disaster victims:

• Contact the Greater Richmond Chapter at 804-780-2250 orhttp://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/
• Donate online at the national Red Cross web site:http://www.redcross.org/.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• Use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). Donations will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.
  All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free.

Red Cross sending volunteers and Emergency Response Vehicles to Alabama

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa House
Public Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2008

Red Cross sending volunteers and Emergency Response Vehicles to Alabama
These Red Cross resources will be pre-staged for the arrival of Hurricane Gustav

RICHMOND, Va.—The Greater Richmond, Rappahannock and Southside chapters of The American Red Cross are deploying Emergency Response Vehicles and volunteers to Montgomery, Ala. to prepare for Hurricane Gustav’s arrival in the gulf coast region.

The crews from the Greater Richmond and Rappahannock chapters will leave Thursday, August 28 at 2 p.m. from the Richmond headquarters at 420 East Cary St. They expect to arrive in Montgomery around 7 p.m. on Friday, August 29.

The Greater Richmond ERV crew will be Warren Delaney and Rosa Roncales. Delaney has volunteered for the Red Cross for 10 years. Roncales began working at the chapter in August through the AmeriCorps program.

The ERV, a mobile feeding unit, can deliver as many as 1,500 meals a day. It may also be used to deliver supplies including clean-up kits, rakes, garbage bags, and toiletries that may be useful for displaced residents.The Greater Richmond Chapter serves the Richmond area. The Rappahannock Chapter serves the Fredericksburg area, and the Southside Chapter serves the Petersburg area.