Thursday, March 26, 2009 — The American Red Cross continues to provide food, shelter, and comfort to residents who live in the shadow of the Red River, located between North Dakota and Minnesota, predicted to crest at a record high of 41 feet this weekend.  Thousands of volunteers in Fargo, North Dakota are still braving bone-chilling cold as they continue their week-long race against the clock to build 43-foot sandbag dikes to protect their communities from the icy water.

In nearby Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty has declared a state of emergency and has asked President Barack Obama to issue a federal disaster declaration for the area.  The Red Cross is working closely with state and local officials in both North Dakota and Minnesota.  Red Cross President and Chief Executive Officer Gail McGovern has pledged Red Cross will be on the scene for as long as it takes.

All week, the Red Cross has been providing meals to the sandbag volunteers, with shelters open to offer a warm, safe place for people to stay should the water overtake their homes.  More than 330 Red Cross volunteers are deployed to the area, along with 22 shelter management teams.  Twenty-eight Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are providing food for the volunteers and more are on the way.  More than 50,000 ready-to-eat meals are already on site, as well as cots and blankets.  

The Red Cross is also partnering with the Salvation Army, Feeding America, Catholic Charities, and Lutheran Disaster Response to help with the efforts.  “It’s partners helping partners and family helping family,” said Sher Thompson of the Red Cross.

Local officials expressed optimism they would win their battle against the river.  “This is unchartered territory,” Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker explained, “Success depends on each and every one of us.  If we have a breech, we need to know it almost immediately.  We’re optimistic.”  Praise for the volunteers came from Fargo City Commissioner Tim Mahoney.  “The volunteers are just tremendous,” he said, “we are going to defend every house.”

Help people affected by disasters like the recent flooding and winter storms, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.