Red Cross volunteers return to Western Carolinas from Sandy response

Here’s the press release from the Red Cross:

Western Carolinas Region, Tuesday, November 13, 2012 —As the American Red Cross moves into its third week of providing relief to those affected by Superstorm Sandy, volunteers who were deployed from the Western Carolinas region are beginning to return from their disaster response assignments.

As of today, seven (7) of the sixty-seven (67) disaster responders deployed from our region, have made their way back to the western Carolinas. Those returning include: Janice Lehman and Jeanne Knoll, both from Greenville; Donald and Susan Adams, husband and wife team from Laurens; Roger Graham from Abbeville; and Joe Hawkins from Anderson.

The American Red Cross is continuing to provide meals, shelter and comfort to families who have been impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Over the last weekend, the Red Cross mobilized a large cadre of volunteers to hand out thousands of bags filled with relief supplies like cleaning, hygiene and comfort items in all five New York boroughs and New Jersey.

The Red Cross has mobilized the full resources of the organization to help those who have been affected. “Every day Red Cross volunteers are loading trucks and traveling to affected neighborhoods with food and supplies. Our disaster workers are carrying these relief items up multiple flights of stairs in high rises, doing whatever we can to reach more people who need help,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “We understand that people are living in very tough conditions and we are doing everything possible to assist them during this difficult time.”

More than 5,700 Red Cross workers from all 50 states are supporting shelters, providing food and water at fixed sites, and driving through neighborhoods to distribute meals and supplies. About 90 percent of these workers are volunteers. To date over 5.3 million meals and snacks have been served.

For photos of the operations, see the Red Cross Flickr set for Hurricane Sandy http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanredcross/sets/72157631875263375/

Ways to Help:

Make a Donation – . Call 1-800-RedCross, or log onto REDCROSS.ORG. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Text “REDCROSS” to 90999. Customers of participating wireless carriers can make a $10 donation to support Disaster Relief by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. Donations will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid account. Message and Data rates may apply. Full terms and privacy policy can be found at redcross.org/m

Donate Blood or Host A Blood Drive – Encourage employees to participate in community blood drives and/or host a blood drive on-site for both staff and customers. As a blood drive sponsor, you can help meet the blood needs of patients in your community and across the United States.

Implement a Customer Donation Program – Give your customers the opportunity to support Disaster Relief by simply adding a dollar amount to their total purchase.

Sponsor an Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program – Engage employees by sponsoring a fundraising campaign in support of Disaster Relief and provide an incentive to participate by matching employee donations.

Conduct a Percentage of Sales Program – Showcase your commitment to the Red Cross and the people we serve while generating sales for your company by donating a percentage of your sales to Disaster Relief.

Donate Ad Space – Donate a portion of your advertising inventory and help share our stories about the individuals, families and communities affected by disaster.

Place a Red Cross Banner Ad on Your Website – Place a Red Cross banner ad on your company website to reinforce your support of the Red Cross and encourage donations through our Donate Now webpage.

RED CROSS SHELTERS If someone needs to find a shelter, they can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross web site, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check local media outlets. People can let their loved ones know how they are by using the “I’m Safe” button on the Red Cross Hurricane App which can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. People can also register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website to let loved ones know they are okay. To register, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.