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.
Posted by wcoates 
