Hundreds of volunteers providing shelter, meals, and comfort
You can help by making a donation, giving blood, or becoming a volunteer
MEDFORD, Mass., August 31, 2020 — Hundreds of trained American Red Cross disaster workers are helping 24-7 in California, Louisiana and Texas to support people impacted by the devastating wildfires in northern California and the massive destruction left behind by Hurricane Laura.
“August has been an incredibly busy month for the Red Cross with hundreds of disaster workers responding to help people whose lives were turned upside down by wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters,” said Holly Grant, chief executive officer for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. “They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
Nearly two weeks after first igniting, nearly 54,000 people still can’t return home in northern California with devastating wildfires continuing to burn out of control. Hundreds of Red Cross trained disaster workers are focused on providing food, shelter, relief supplies and comfort to people in need. The Red Cross is helping people affected by wildfires in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Along the Gulf Coast, hundreds more trained Red Cross disaster workers are helping people impacted by the devastation left behind by Hurricane Laura — one of most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S. Homes and businesses are destroyed, heavy debris is blocking roads, and hundreds of thousands of people are without power and water. The Red Cross has teams of volunteers circulating through accessible areas to assess damage and provide ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks. Thousands of people are taking refuge in emergency lodgings, including shelters and, in some circumstances, hotels. Red Cross workers are also helping to replace prescription medications, eyeglasses and offer emotional support to people whose lives have been turned upside down.
Public Service Announcements for the California wildfires and hurricane recovery are available in :15 and :30 second pieces. Please contact Jeff Hall if you would like to receive these files.
The Red Cross is also still helping to provide food, shelter and support for people in Iowa and Illinois after a recent derecho caused widespread damage across parts of both states.
Locally, the Red Cross has deployed 14 in-person volunteers to California and the Gulf Coast, with another eight working virtually from their homes in Massachusetts, supporting the work being done in the disaster area.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help people affected by disasters like wildfires, storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from
disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS or text the word DISASTER
to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
We encourage eligible individuals to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Learn more here.
If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions here: http://redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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