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MINNEAPOLIS, MN, June 29, 2010—The American Red Cross disaster response transitions this week to local chapters following the June 17 tornadoes across Minnesota.
“We are returning the disaster operation response to the Red Cross chapters in the affected areas,” says Sue Hutson, the Red Cross volunteer director of operations for the June 17 disaster response. “The local chapters have the ability to continue needed casework for vulnerable families.”
Until now the Red Cross response has been state-wide, drawing from volunteers and paid staff from ten chapters, including Central Minnesota, Freeborn County, Goodhue County, Mower County, South Central Minnesota, Southeast Minnesota, St. Croix Valley, Twin Cities Area Chapter and Winona County in Minnesota; and the Minn-Kota chapter that covers areas in North Dakota and Minnesota.
The Red Cross anticipates that it will spend between $259,000 and $406,000 to help people rebuild their lives following the June 17 tornadoes.
“It’s important for people to continue to give because the money chapters spend to help people who need assistance comes from the national disaster relief fund,” says Hutson.
To date, the Red Cross has provided more than 43,000 meals and snacks to affected families and to those helping them clean-up after the tornadoes. Red Cross had eight Emergency Response Vehicles canvassing disaster stricken areas providing relief supplies as well as food and water and served others through two fixed feeding sites.Volunteers have provided more than 200 clean-up kits and comfort kits and made nearly 400 mental health contacts with people needing emotional support. Also, following the storm, the Red Cross operated two shelters for affected residents.
If you are in need of Red Cross services, please contact your local chapter. Local chapter information is available at 1-800-RED-CROSS or www.redcross.org.
Help people affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.
Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 www.redcross.org
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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