The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant to the American Red Cross in the amount of $20,000 to support PrepareSoCal, a preparedness campaign that works to create resilience within vulnerable communities throughout Southern California where disaster risks and impacts pose a grave threat to the viability of community life.
“When disaster strikes, the first organization we all turn to for relief is The American Red Cross. So it’s no surprise this organization with so much expertise also looks to get ahead of disasters through resiliency planning, which has the potential to mitigate physical and financial impact. We enthusiastically support their PrepareSoCal campaign as a way to connect people across the Southland to potentially life-saving resources and services,” said Scott Olmsted, Senior Vice President and Group Head of Technology, Media & Entertainment, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Board Chair of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Effective disaster preparedness requires an investment from everyone. Individuals, households, schools, businesses and local governments can be empowered to help create safe communities.”
Effective disaster preparedness planning helps protect property, speeds recovery, reduces physical and emotional distress and saves lives. Since the campaign began in 2014, PrepareSoCal has provided preparedness education nearly 30,000 individuals, taught CPR and First Aid training to nearly 150,000 individuals, and installed over 30,000 smoke alarms in vulnerable communities.
“We truly appreciate Bank of America’s support of our work to build more resilient communities.” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “This grant will enable us to continue to bring preparedness and home fire safety education, free smoke alarms and much more to communities throughout Los Angeles.”
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.