American Red Cross Responds To Tornadoes In The Southeast

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 08 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Severe weather and tornadoes ripped through the South Tuesday night resulting in significant damage to communities in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. The tornadoes left more than 45 people dead and injured hundreds. The Red Cross immediately responded to the tornadoes, providing shelter, feeding victims and search and rescue workers, and lending emotional support to all. Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program helped ensure the Red Cross could be there immediately to rush relief to the affected residents, but the need for additional donations is still great due to the devastation caused by the tornadoes throughout the South.

Additional financial donations are needed to support the ongoing relief efforts of the Red Cross. The Red Cross will continue to mobilize volunteers and supplies, such as clean-up kits, into the affected areas. Red Cross case workers will work with individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes, and will provide care and comfort to help residents and emergency workers manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters.

"Donations from our Annual Disaster Giving Program members enabled the Red Cross to provide immediate, life-saving support to the affected communities throughout the South," said Steve Denne, vice president of development at the American Red Cross. "These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are vital to the organization's ability to carry out its mission."

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.

People can join the Annual Disaster Giving Program members in supporting 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 the southern tornadoes. Log-on to http://www.redcross.org or call 1-800- HELP NOW to make a donation.

Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program:

- American Express Foundation
- AT&T Foundation
- AXA Foundation
- Citi
- ConAgra Foods Foundation
- FedEx Corporation
- JCPenney Company
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation
- Merck & Co, Inc.
- MorganStanley
- Raytheon Company
- State Farm
- State Street Corporation
- Target
- 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 these tornadoes, 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 or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.

American Red Cross

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