Annual Gifts Help Ensure Quick Response to Florida Tornadoes

WASHINGTON, Friday, February 09, 2007 — The people in Central Florida are still recovering from the devastation caused by last week's tornadoes, which killed 20 people and impacted more than 2,000 homes in the area. The American Red Cross was among the first on the ground helping disaster victims with food, shelter, counseling and other assistance. The rapid response to the basic needs of residents was made possible by generous donations by members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The ADGP provides the Red Cross with a guaranteed source of funding to respond to thousands of disasters around the country each year.

Trained Red Cross disaster workers have provided more than 38,357 meals and snacks, distributed more than 3,500 comfort and clean-up kits, and delivered 11,800 bulk items to tornado victims in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

"Our ADGP members' gifts to disaster preparedness and the Disaster Relief Fund helped our organization respond immediately with shelter and other services to those in need," said Jack McGuire, Interim President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Communities often think of the Red Cross after a disaster has already affected thousands of lives. ADGP members are truly unique because they ensure the Red Cross has the resources to respond before a disaster strikes."

ADGP members pledge donations on an on-going basis, in advance of major disasters, to help the American Red Cross ensure immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income. Members include:

American Express Foundation
AT&T
AXA Foundation
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
Citigroup Foundation
ConAgra Foods Foundation
FedEx Corporation
Halliburton
JCPenney Company Fund
Lowe's Companies, Inc
Marriott International, Inc
Merck & Co., Inc
Morgan Stanley
Nestlé Waters North America
Raytheon
State Farm
State Street Corporation
Target
TJX Companies, Inc
Woodman of the World/Omaha Woodman Life Insurance Society

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.