The American Red Cross response to Hurricane Gustav was in full swing throughout the weekend, and still is, with shelters open in 10 states to keep people safe from the storm.
Your Northwest Illinois chapter is grateful for the generous volunteers who are giving their time to aid victims and for those who have donated.
Locally, donation relief canisters are being placed at locations throughout the region. Donations placed in those canisters will be forwarded to American Red Cross' national headquarters.
On the Red Cross' first major sheltering night, volunteers provided shelter and assistance to nearly 60,000 people in 343 shelters.
The 11 volunteers from the Northwest Illinois Chapter were all sent to sites in Louisiana and all still are deployed.
Nationally, the Red Cross prepared for two weeks for the hurricane by moving workers, cots, blankets, comfort kits, ready-to-eat meals and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks into the area. The Red Cross was prepared to offer more than 750,000 prepackaged meals to evacuees.
The mobilization of people and supplies cost the Red Cross more than $12 million before the storm made landfall and as of this writing the total cost has exceeded $20 million.
Tropical Storm Hanna poses a threat to the East Coast. Tropical Storm Ike is expected to get stronger. Red Cross already has resources along the East Coast and is preparing to help residents in the path of Hanna.
Donations also ensure that we can move our thousands of volunteers to the region so they can provide vital services, such as mental health and first aid.
While the worst of Gustav's initial onslaught appears to be over, chapter volunteers still are working on damage assessment and your local and national Red Cross needs your assistance. Tropical storms and Hurricane Hanna still are forming and bode an ominous hurricane season.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter, which represents Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. Mail such contributions to American Red Cross Northwest Illinois Chapter, 224 W. Galena Ave., Freeport, IL 61032, attention Hurricanes of 2008 disaster fund.
Contributions may be sent to the national headquarters at American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
You also can 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. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS.
Please find it in your heart to give, and give generously. Remember: American Red Cross is a volunteer organization and your donations keep us able to assist.
Your Northwest Illinois chapter is grateful for the generous volunteers who are giving their time to aid victims and for those who have donated.
Locally, donation relief canisters are being placed at locations throughout the region. Donations placed in those canisters will be forwarded to American Red Cross' national headquarters.
On the Red Cross' first major sheltering night, volunteers provided shelter and assistance to nearly 60,000 people in 343 shelters.
The 11 volunteers from the Northwest Illinois Chapter were all sent to sites in Louisiana and all still are deployed.
Nationally, the Red Cross prepared for two weeks for the hurricane by moving workers, cots, blankets, comfort kits, ready-to-eat meals and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks into the area. The Red Cross was prepared to offer more than 750,000 prepackaged meals to evacuees.
The mobilization of people and supplies cost the Red Cross more than $12 million before the storm made landfall and as of this writing the total cost has exceeded $20 million.
Tropical Storm Hanna poses a threat to the East Coast. Tropical Storm Ike is expected to get stronger. Red Cross already has resources along the East Coast and is preparing to help residents in the path of Hanna.
Donations also ensure that we can move our thousands of volunteers to the region so they can provide vital services, such as mental health and first aid.
While the worst of Gustav's initial onslaught appears to be over, chapter volunteers still are working on damage assessment and your local and national Red Cross needs your assistance. Tropical storms and Hurricane Hanna still are forming and bode an ominous hurricane season.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter, which represents Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. Mail such contributions to American Red Cross Northwest Illinois Chapter, 224 W. Galena Ave., Freeport, IL 61032, attention Hurricanes of 2008 disaster fund.
Contributions may be sent to the national headquarters at American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
You also can 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. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS.
Please find it in your heart to give, and give generously. Remember: American Red Cross is a volunteer organization and your donations keep us able to assist.
