SOUTH CAROLINA, November 8, 2022 – The American Red Cross of South Carolina is grateful to announce a generous gift from AgFirst, CoBank, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, and Farmer Mac, who've joined together to provide $325,000 in relief aid for communities hard hit by Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian. The $325,000 gift will support ongoing relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and Florida, where people are still reeling from immense devastation.
Hurricane Ian ripped across Florida in late September and made a second landfall in South Carolina, just one week after Hurricane Fiona slammed the Puerto Rican coast, dumping historic amounts of rain, destroying infrastructure, and leaving the entire island without power. The hurricanes heavily affected the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and Puerto Rico, destroying or causing major damage to more than 12,000 homes and damaging numerous farms, livestock and crops along the way.
"Thanks to AgFirst and their partners’ generous donation, the Red Cross and our partners are on the ground supporting those in need after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona," said Anne McKeough, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "We are grateful for partners like these as we work together to provide help and hope for communities in the wake of these destructive hurricanes."
More than a month after Hurricane Ian devastated large areas of Florida, hundreds of people remain in shelters, and thousands more are depending on the Red Cross for food, water, and other support. Since shelters were opened for this disaster, the Red Cross and our partners have provided more than 43,000 overnight stays for more than 6,800 residents in more than 70 emergency shelters. More than 2,700 Red Crossers have supported relief efforts, and with the help of our partners, we've provided almost 1.6 million meals and snacks and some 404,000 relief items like cleaning supplies and comfort kits.
"Our hearts go out to the people and communities affected by these devastating storms. We hope these funds will bring much-needed relief in the short-term to those who are hurting and also provide assistance as they begin to rebuild," said AgFirst CEO Tim Amerson. "Moving past the damage caused by Ian and Fiona will be difficult. It takes all of us pulling together to help these communities begin to rebuild. AgFirst and our partners are blessed to be in a position to provide relief where it is needed the most."
You can help people affected by disasters like 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 REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; 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 mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC
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