TERRE HAUTE — The Red Cross is offering a new way to help others this holiday season.
The not-for-profit disaster-relief agency is launching “Gifts that Save the Day,” a selection of gift donations that can provide assistance for people in need for a single day or many days.
“These are difficult times” for many in the Wabash Valley, said Carol Stevens, executive director of the Wabash Valley Red Cross. But “the Red Cross has seen that when Americans are in need, America always responds.”
The Red Cross sponsored a recent survey of 1,001 American adults and found that many plan to spend less on gifts and parties this holiday season. However, only 20 percent planned to cut donations to charity and 17 percent planned to donate more.
The survey also found that 67 percent of those polled said the tough economic times make it more important this year to donate to charity.
Through the “Gifts that Save the Day” program, donors can provide food and shelter for a day for a disaster victim. They can also provide a “military comfort kit” for a wounded warrior or a month of basic needs for the victim of a disaster overseas.
Access to the “Gifts that Save the Day” catalog is available at www.redcross.org/gifts or www.wabashvalleyredcross.org. A limited number of printed catalogs also is available at the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter office at 700 S. Third St.
