$30 Million Month for Red Cross Nears Halfway Point
Two weeks down, and 16 days to go as the American Red Cross tries to reach an ambitious goal of raising $30 million in 30 days for the Red Cross Campaign for Disaster Relief. Since announcing the campaign in September, the organization had raised nearly $70 million by Dec. 1 and hoped to achieve the $100 million goal by Dec. 31. ARC designated today as the "National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross" to help it reach the goal.
"Even in these tough economic times, Americans have given to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and helped us make incredible progress toward our goal. When the next disaster hits, they can rest assured that their generosity will help feed, shelter, and give support to someone in need—in their own town, in the next state or even thousands of miles away," said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the Red Cross.
ARC said this has been a "disaster-filled year," with "a record-breaking number of tornadoes; the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years; a very active hurricane season; wildfires in the West; and the many 'silent' disasters that never make national news, such as the tens of thousands of house fires that occur every year." The fund helps by providing food, shelter, counseling, and other critical services to disaster victims.
A $5 gift provides a hot meal for a disaster victim, while a $25 gift buys blankets for a family of five and $75 pays for a victim to visit a doctor. To donate, go to www.redcross.org or call 800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The number for Spanish speakers is 800-257-7575. Donations for the fund also may be sent to a local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013, and donors may use a cell phone to donate $5 to the fund by text-messaging the keyword "GIVE" (4483) to "2HELP" (24357).