The East Coast is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Irene, which is likely to rank among the 10 costliest catastrophes in U.S. history, according to The New York Times, with a price tag of $7 billion to $10 billion. The nation looks on in absolute horror at the damage and devastation the storm has left in its wake. Significant flooding, wind damage and widespread power outages are all still plaguing the communities along the eastern seaboard, where the storm has taken the lives of at least 44 individuals across 13 states and left 4.6 million homes without power.
It’s at times like these the Red Cross lives out its humanitarian mission: to keep victims of disaster sheltered, fed and clothed and to help those victims prepare and prevent further disaster. Since Hurricane Irene swept across the East Coast last weekend, the Red Cross has:
- Served more than 279,000 meals and snacks to people
- Supported 144 shelters with more than 2,700 people last night.
- Since Friday, August 26, 2011 has provided more than 52,000 overnight stays.
- To date shipped:
- Approximately 228,000 shelf stable meals
- Approximately 13,000 clean up kits containing trash bags, soap, and bleach.
- More than 8,000 comfort kits containing toothbrushes, soap and shampoo.
- More than 2,000 cots
- More than 3,000 blankets
- More than 100,000 bulk supplies such as shovels, rakes, gloves and flashlights.
But the Red Cross mission does not and can not end there.
When such a large scale disaster affects such a large portion of the nation, it’s easy to forget that disasters are also occurring on a local level nearly everyday.
Since August 26, although the national focus has been on the 1,000 mile swath of the Eastern Seaboard hit by Irene, home fires have broken out in 7 different counties across Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.
The Red Cross has responded to 9 separate incidents of disaster in Madison, Buncombe, Polk, Anderson, Pickens, Spartanburg and Greenville Counties. The Red Cross assisted a total of 32 families in those counties with shelter, food and financial support, exceeding $14,500 in cash and resources, despite the fact that many of their resources and volunteers had already been deployed to other states in preparation and response to Hurricane Irene.
All across the nation, stories of the unwavering commitment of Red Cross volunteers can be heard. Yesterday, one Red Cross volunteer celebrated his wedding anniversary with disaster victims in Maryland. His wife of 40 years is back home in Tennessee, supportive and awaiting his return.
Another volunteer is recognizing a different kind of anniversary. Monday was the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and one Red Cross volunteer from Mississippi that was affected by that unprecedented storm traveled to Baltimore this week to volunteer her time for victims of Hurricane Irene simply to return the kindness extended to her six years earlier.
Red Cross volunteers answer the call of victims of disaster in every part of the nation, whether that means a deployment to a different state or an emergency response to a local fire. Red Cross Disaster volunteers dedicate much more than their time and energy to response efforts. They dedicate their lives to serving the needs of disaster victims. Sometimes it’s difficult, many times it’s a sacrifice but it’s always rewarding.
You can help people affected by disasters like floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. To make a donation, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross officer or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. To learn more about the work of the American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit redcross.org or the Western North Carolina site at www.redcrosswnc.org .
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Throw on a black tie in honor of the Red Cross. All the cool kids are doing it... See?
