Corporate Donors Support American Red Cross Response To Hurricane Dolly

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 26 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Hurricane Dolly made landfall on Wednesday, July 23, pounding Southeastern Texas with torrential rains and 100-mph winds. The hurricane downed trees, caused massive power outages and flooded communities. After slamming South Padre Island, Hurricane Dolly moved inland and generated flood and tornado warnings, and caused 8 to 10 inches of rainfall accumulation and 20 inches in portions of Southeastern Texas.

Sizing up Hurricane Dolly's potential early on, the Red Cross identified areas where the need for help might be greatest and pre-positioned support including personnel, equipment and supplies. Once it was safe, we moved resources into affected areas in Southeastern Texas, including South Padre, Brownsville and McAllen. Today, Red Cross workers can be found throughout shelters and service centers and kitchens, providing emotional support, food, shelter and information.

More than 400 Red Cross workers are on the ground - working with a couple of dozen Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), large-scale kitchens and several shelters, providing much needed comfort to residents of Southeastern Texas. As widespread power outages are taking place and reports of wind and water damage are coming in, Red Cross response efforts are expected to increase in the coming days.

Annual Disaster Giving Program members pledge donations on an on-going basis, in advance of major disasters, to help the Red Cross ensure an immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income.

"Donations from our Annual Disaster Giving Program members enable the Red Cross to have the funds available to pre-position support before a disaster strikes," said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are vital for the Red Cross' ability to provide immediate relief to people affected by disaster. We thank these corporate donors for their leadership."

Annual Disaster Giving Program members from the business community support the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like Hurricane Dolly.

The TJX Companies, Inc.

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, disasters like Hurricane Dolly, 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.

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org