PRESS RELEASE
American Red Cross Volunteers Activated to Assist with Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Springfield, IL (August 29, 2005) –
The American Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources in its history for a single natural disaster. The Red Cross is mobilizing on all fronts to bring relief to the victims. As the lead agency in Mass Care (sheltering and feeding) under the National Response Plan, the Red Cross is leading the effort to shelter and feed those affected by the storm. More than two hundred Red Cross shelters are housing thousands of residents who fled Katrina’s wrath. All available resources from across the country, including thousands of paid and volunteer staff are being moved to safe areas, so additional relief efforts can begin immediately after the storm passes. More than 200 emergency response vehicles (ERVs) and countless other Red Cross resources are en route or on the scene to provide hot meals, snacks, bottled water and distribute other much-needed relief supplies. The American Red Cross has launched a significant response to Hurricane Katrina, and the Illinois Capital Area Chapter is deploying volunteers to provide assistance to those affected.
*MEDIA NOTE: Lee Malany, an American Red Cross Illinois Capital Area Chapter volunteer, will be departing from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport at approximately 6 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, heading to Houston, Texas in preparation for response to Hurricane Katrina. Media interviews are welcomed at the airport prior to Lee’s departure.
The Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has activated six volunteers to assist with relief efforts: Ann Dixon, Amy Eden, Cheryl Mitchell, Bill Scott, John Sloan and Lee Malany. The volunteers’ assignments will last approximately three weeks. Responsibilities will include assessing damage to homes, evaluating families’ emergency needs, serving meals, assisting in shelter sites, and distributing clean-up kits and personal hygiene kits to affected residents. All of our volunteers who have been deployed will be a part of this historic operation with extensive sheltering and feeding.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To help the Red Cross continue to save lives, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross by calling (217) 522-3357. Contributions may also be sent to the Illinois Capital Area Chapter at P.O. Box 1058, 1025 South Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62705-1058.
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Contact: Jenny Antonacci
Community Relations Coordinator
Office: (217) 522-3357 x232
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