American Red Cross Responds to Northwest Flooding

Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program Recognized for Their Financial Support

WASHINGTON, Friday, December 07, 2007 — Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain battered the Northwest on Sunday and Monday, resulting in significant damage to communities in western Oregon and Washington state. The storms have caused mudslides and extensive power outages in addition to flooding. The American Red Cross was among the first on the scene responding to the storms, opening shelters and supporting community shelters with supplies and food. Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program helped provide the funding to rush relief to the affected residents, but the need for additional donations is still great due to the vast devastation the storms caused throughout the Northwest.

As power in some areas is expected not to be restored for several days, the Red Cross will remain on the ground providing emergency assistance. The Red Cross is coordinating with officials at state and county emergency operation centers to monitor the situation and commit and ensure the movement of additional supplies and people into the affected areas. Even without additional rainfall, the flood waters and inaccessible roadways will continue to have a serious impact on residents for the foreseeable future.

"Donations from our Annual Disaster Giving Program members enable the Red Cross to provide life-saving support in affected communities like western Oregon and Washington state where homes are damaged or without power from the storms," said Kathleen Loehr, interim senior vice president of Development at the American Red Cross. "These funds are essential to the organization’s ability to provide immediate relief to people affected by disaster."

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

People can join the Annual Disaster Giving Program members in supporting the Disaster Relief Fund and help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Northwest floods. Log-on to www.redcross.org or call 1-800- HELP NOW to make a donation.

Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program include:
American Express Foundation
AT&T Foundation
AXA Foundation
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
Citi
ConAgra Foods Foundation
FedEx Corporation
Halliburton
JCPenney Company Fund
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Marriott International, Inc.
Merck & Co, Inc.
MorganStanley
Raytheon Company
State Farm
State Street Corporation
Target
The TJX Companies, Inc.

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.