Special to the Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
With an extremely active hurricane season looming, an oil spill in the Gulf that could make matters even worse, and local disasters such as floods, wind storms and home fires, the American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter has launched a new disaster relief fundraising drive.
“The Red Cross spends about $450 million a year responding to nearly 70,000 disasters across the country – floods, wildfires, tornadoes and home fires,” said Carol Stevens, executive director at the Wabash Valley Chapter. “We’re asking people to click, text or call to support Red Cross disaster relief.”
Red Cross chapters across the state and country are taking part in the new disaster response fundraising drive, kicked off just before the height of the hurricane season in August and September. As part of this effort, the Red Cross is airing national television ads, sending targeted fundraising appeals, using social media and making public appeals for disaster donations.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between three and seven major hurricanes this year. Major hurricanes are those Category 3, 4 and 5 storms that do the most damage – such as Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita and Wilma – with winds in excess of 100 mph.
These predictions bear an eerie resemblance to the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, when multiple major hurricanes, including Katrina, struck the United States. More than 35 million people live in regions vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes, and many in the Gulf Coast region already are experiencing hardship as a result of the oil spill.
“We’ve all seen the predictions for this year’s hurricane season, and it’s worrisome. We’re also aware that people might need to leave their homes for longer periods of time because of the oil in the Gulf,” said Stevens.
Contributions for disaster relief will support response to the 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to every year, whether they are hurricanes that affect millions of people here or abroad, floods that affect thousands or a house fire that drives one family from its home.
“We are asking Wabash Valley residents for donations to help support Red Cross disaster relief, and we hope people will respond,” said Stevens. “Every single donation brings hope to people in need.”
Readiness is a big part of disaster relief. The Red Cross already has pre-positioned equipment and materials near areas that could be hit by hurricanes. In addition, the Red Cross frequently moves supplies and people closer to an area threatened by a hurricane so they can be ready to respond quickly. These preparations cost money, and those funds have to be available long before a storm strikes.
People who want to make a contribution to disaster response can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS to support American Red Cross Disaster Response or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
Contributions also can be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The Wabash Valley Chapter serves Clay, Greene, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois and can be reached at (812) 23-3393, www.wabashvalleyredcross.org or at 700 S. Third St., Terre Haute.
