PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2018) -- Jackie Autry, widow of “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry, is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross and the Autry Foundation will match that gift for a total of $100,000 for California Wildfire relief efforts.

The Camp Fire, now the largest and deadliest wildfire in state history, burned more than 14,000 structures, killing nearly 100 with several hundred residents unaccounted for from the town of Paradise and the surrounding communities. The American Red Cross has been on the ground in the area providing shelter, meals, health services and mental health counselors to the affected residents and their families.

“Gifts like these will help the Red Cross help our neighbors who are facing the long road to recovery,” said Lois Beckman, executive director, American Red Cross serving Coachella Valley/Morongo Basin “We are thankful for this generous gift and her continued support of the Red Cross.”

To help people affected by disasters big and small, visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit redcross.org/dts or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossDTS or Facebook at facebook.com/RedCrossDTS.