Red Cross chapters sending volunteers to respond to the devastation left by Hurricane Ike

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Bill Harrison
Vice President, Public Relations
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2256 § Cell: 804.396.0162
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2008

Red Cross chapters sending volunteers to respond to the devastation left by Hurricane Ike
As Ike deployments continue, volunteers from previous storms are still in the field

RICHMOND, Va.—In the wake of Mother Nature’s punishing assaults on the Southeastern and Gulf regions of the United States, local Red Cross chapters continue to send volunteers to help in the aftermath.The latest volunteers are leaving today to help in with Ike, and are flying to Texas and Louisiana to get their assignments. They will work in areas including sheltering, mass feeding, staff services, public affairs, client casework, and health services.

Hurricane Ike Deployments:

• The Greater Richmond Chapter is sending three volunteers today and four more will deploy in the coming days. This brings the total number of Ike volunteers from the chapter to seven.
• The Rappahannock Chapter is sending three volunteers today. That brings the total number of volunteers from the Rappahannock chapter to four—the first Ike volunteer deployed on Thursday, September 5.
• The Southside Chapter is sending two volunteers today. Altogether a total of five Ike volunteers have deployed from the Southside Chapter since September 9.
• The Halifax-Charlotte County Chapter has sent seven volunteers, including five that left on Friday, September 9.

While the placement of Ike volunteers continues, the Red Cross is still working to fill needed volunteer positions.

Deployments for Hurricane Gustav
Since Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana in September, Red Cross database records show that local chapters have sent a steady stream of volunteers to storm-affected areas, and most of those volunteers are still in the field:

• The Greater Richmond Chapter sent four volunteers, and another is leaving in the coming days.
• The Rappahannock Chapter sent two volunteers.
• The Southside Chapter sent 11 volunteers.
• Halifax-Charlotte County Chapter sent seven volunteers.

The Red Cross needs donations
As the Red Cross continues helping those battered by the 2008 storms and hurricanes, a national fundraising campaign has been launched to raise an initial $100 million to fill a depleted Disaster Relief Fund. The fund 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.

To help disaster victims:

• Donate online at the national Red Cross web site:https://chapowa.redcross.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=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.

###

Red Cross sending two mass care volunteers to Florida in advance of Hurricane Ike

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 6, 2008

As these new volunteers deploy, Gustav volunteers already in the Gulf Region provide mobile feeding

RICHMOND, Va.—The Greater Richmond Chapter is deploying two volunteers to Orlando, Fla. in advance of Hurricane Ike. Meanwhile, the chapter’s Emergency Response Vehicle crew that was deployed last week for Hurricane Gustav is providing mobile feeding in New Orleans.

The Hurricane Ike volunteers will leave Richmond International Airport Sunday at 6 a.m. Nationally, the Red Cross is recruiting 2,500 volunteers from across the United States for Ike, and they are asking that all volunteers arrive at their appointed destinations no later than midday on Sunday. Forecasts predict that the storm will reach Florida on Wednesday morning.

Even as this new storm approaches Florida, the Gustav volunteers in Louisiana could be in their assignments for another two weeks.

The Red Cross needs donations
As a result of this active hurricane season, the Red Cross is facing a depleted National Disaster Relief Fund. All Red Cross assistance is free, and just as people affected by disaster depend on the Red Cross, the Red Cross depends on the public for financial support.

To help 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.

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.