In Fiscal Year 2019, Volunteers Helped 1,096 People Affected by Disasters Statewide
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, November 26, 2019 — Following a year of disasters affecting hundreds of people across the state, the American Red Cross of Alaska asks everyone to help provide relief and comfort on Giving Tuesday by donating at redcross.org/gift.
“Living in Alaska, I know that a disaster can strike at any time,” Josh Howes, Red Cross of Alaska Board Secretary said. “It may only impact one family, like a house fire, or it may affect an entire community. Giving to the Red Cross helps our family remember that it is important to support each other during these disasters, and giving during the holiday season may allow the team here in Alaska to help more of our neighbors remain focused on their own families even when disaster strikes.”
FAMILIES FACE DISASTERS EVERY DAY In the past 12 months, Red Cross volunteers have been by the sides of families affected by large events like wildfires on the Kenai Peninsula, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and even within the Municipality of Anchorage; they provided comfort and support following the 7.1 November 30 earthquake; and they have even deployed outside of Alaska to assist those affected by Hurricane Dorian on the East Coast and tornadoes and floods in the Midwest.
On average, the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster every 14 days in the U.S. — on top of responding each year to tens of thousands of smaller disasters like home fires, which account for most of the 62,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country. Families right here in Alaska are affected by single-family home fires on average once a day statewide. In Fiscal Year 2019, the Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters in 50 Alaskan communities resulting in 1,096 people assisted, and also facilitated over 250 volunteer deployments to both large-scale local and national disasters.
HOW TO HELP ON #GIVINGTUESDAY People can #GiveWithMeaning on Giving Tuesday (December 3) and throughout the holiday season by donating at redcross.org/gift:
Help disaster victims: A gift of $50 can deliver hot meals for five people or provide blankets for 10 people after a disaster, or a larger donation of $100 can provide a family of two with a full day’s worth of emergency shelter, including meals, snacks, blankets, cots and hygiene supplies.
Help military members and veterans: Meanwhile, a donation of $50 can help connect veterans and their families to critical community services, such as food, housing, mental health support and rehabilitation. A larger gift of $145 can provide hospital kits, filled with toiletries and other essentials, for 20 service members.
Help save lives internationally: People can also help save lives through our work with the Measles & Rubella Initiative, which provides vaccinations for children and educates families about the dangers of measles and rubella. A gift of $100 can help provide lifesaving vaccinations for 100 children facing an increased risk of measles and rubella around the world.
About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In Fiscal Year 2019, the American Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters by offering food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, hope and recovery services to 1,096 Alaskans in 50 communities statewide. Our preparedness teams installed 2,171 free smoke alarms and educated 1,409 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Our Training Services department enrolled 19,665 students in first aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. Our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,299 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. In Fiscal Year 2019, our statewide workforce of 729 volunteers logged 40,735 hours in service to our mission and their fellow Alaskans. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.