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Governor Thanks Red Cross at Shelter Visit
Calling the relief efforts “a marathon,” Gov. Schwarzenegger acknowledged that much work remains after the fires die out.
By Katie Lawson, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 — All eyes in Southern California have been on the wildfires, but for one day last week, they were on a Red Cross shelter.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses shelter residents and local media after visiting a Red Cross shelter in San Bernardino on Oct. 25.
(Photo Credit: Katie Lawson/American Red Cross)
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As a car carrying California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pulled up to the Red Cross shelter in San Bernardino on Thursday, excited evacuees sprinted into the building, hoping to catch a glimpse of the former movie star turned politician.
As he toured the facility, Schwarzenegger talked with shelter guests, signed autographs and posed for numerous pictures. He then made his way through the Fire Emergency Local Assistance Center (FELAC), a one-stop shop where evacuees can meet with local agencies to obtain information and services that will help them get back on their feet.
Afterward, the governor held a press conference to praise the disaster relief efforts and especially the firefighters, who he called “the bravest and most talented in the world” for helping extinguish the many blazes that have plagued the area in the last week. He also thanked the Red Cross for its assistance, prompting the crowd to erupt in a burst of applause.
“It’s extremely important that people come together in times of disaster,” Schwarzenegger said. “Thanks to all the relief efforts here in San Bernardino and elsewhere in the state, I have faith that Californians will emerge stronger than ever.”
The doors to the shelter, at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds, first opened Monday, October 22, and welcomed hundreds of residents affected by the fires. During the past week, the Red Cross has provided nearly 24,000 overnight stays in its shelters and served more than 90,000 meals. The Red Cross has more than 5,000 workers in Southern California assisting firefighters, evacuees and others affected by the many blazes.
The wildfires that have plagued Southern California for the past week have burned more than 500,000 acres of land and continue to rage in some areas, leaving countless people displaced. Schwarzenegger pledged that state and local government agencies would do their utmost to help all who were affected by the blazes.
“What we’ve just been through is the sprint,” said Schwarzenegger. “We have to remember it’s a marathon, and the hard work is yet to come.”
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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