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09.16.2008 Red Cross chapters continue disaster relief efforts

The American Red Cross continues to deploy staff and volunteers to Texas to assist with relief efforts surrounding Hurricane Ike while at the same time providing assistance for other severe weather that has struck our nation over the last few weeks.

Hurricane Ike

After the storm, millions of people have no electricity and hundreds of thousands who evacuated don’t know if their homes are damaged or when they can return. From Illinois to Texas, thousands of American Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground, providing safe shelter, food, water, and comfort to those affected by the Hurricane Ike and its remnants.

The Carolina Piedmont Region of the American Red Cross – which comprises 10 chapters that cover 14 counties in North Carolina – has been doing its part to assist with relief efforts. The region already has deployed 19 staff and volunteers to assist with the Hurricane Ike response:

  • The Greater Carolinas Chapter, which serves Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, currently has 11 staff and volunteers in Texas, three of whom left for Texas today.
  • The Gaston County Chapter has deployed three people – Director of Emergency Services Margaret Royster-Jones and chapter disaster volunteers Bob Whisnant and Tammy Moss – to Texas.
  • The Cabarrus County Chapter has a volunteer emergency response vehicle driver on standby.
  • The Union County Chapter has five staff and volunteers to Texas, two of whom deploy today. Cecelia Dessingue, health and safety director at the Union County chapter who left for Texas on Friday, said, “This is what the Red Cross is all about. People helping people in their time of need. It’s rewarding to help Texas residents who have left their homes in anticipation of massive flooding.” Dessingue is keeping a blog of her experiences in Texas, and the blog can be viewed at http://www.unioncountyredcross.org/.

Nationally, the Red Cross’ response to Hurricane Ike:

In Texas:

  • More than 17,000 people sought refuge in 144 shelters.
  • The Red Cross has served more than 130,000 meals and snacks to those affected by Hurricane Ike.
  • More than 2,000 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground to assist.

In Louisiana:

  • Almost 2,000 people were provided safe haven in 19 shelters.
  • 1,900 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground to assist.
  • The Red Cross has served more than 1 million meals and snacks to those affected by Gustav and Ike.

Hurricane Gustav

There’s a perception that Louisiana “dodged a bullet” from Gustav. But the Red Cross is still at work there, sheltering hundreds of those who have returned home and providing almost 100,000 meals a day. The Greater Carolinas Chapter has a staff member and a volunteer in Louisiana assisting with Gustav relief.

“There is so much focus on Hurricane Ike approaching, but we still have to support residents who have been affected by Gustav and the other storms,” said Greater Carolinas Chapter CEO Pamela Jefsen. “We have, on a national level, millions of dollars and thousands of volunteers concentrating on those efforts as well as providing relief for Ike.” Nationally, recruitment for help with Hurricane Gustav is still in effect as volunteers and staff members come off three-week shifts.

Greater Carolinas Chapter Executive Assistant Brunetta Franklin was deployed to the Gulf Coast area two weeks ago for Hurricane Gustav relief. Franklin has been sharing her experiences through a blog, which can be viewed here.

Tropical Storm Fay

The Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross will complete its relief operation for clients affected by Tropical Storm Fay today. Nearly 500 clients have been provided assistance after the severe flooding caused by Fay.

Do your part to help the American Red Cross provide disaster relief

The American Red Cross is launching a national fundraising campaign to raise an initial $100 million to help victims of recent disasters with food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. Only a small fraction of that amount has been raised. The Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is depleted from a record number of tornadoes this year, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years, an early wildfire season and an active hurricane season that is not over yet.

Your donations will help us operate our shelters and provide meals for evacuees, victims and clean up workers. It buys things like food, cots, blankets, toiletries, clean-up supplies. Donations also ensure that we can move our volunteers to the region and provide vital services like mental health and first aid. Donors can go online to http://www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

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. All applicable text rates apply. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross offers the following resources for media: