Give with meaning this holiday season.
The American Red Cross is appealing to Connecticut to take part in #GivingTuesday on November 28 and #GiveWithMeaning by making a financial donation to help a family who has lost everything in a home fire, by donating blood or platelets to help someone who is ill, or by volunteering.
Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday marks the kick-off of the holiday giving season through a global giving movement that inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities. Last year, millions of people in 98 countries came together to support charitable causes and helped to raise more than $177 million online to support a variety of organizations.
This #GivingTuesday is especially critical for the Red Cross as it comes after a year of record-breaking and devastating disasters that left communities reeling and destroyed lives. The Red Cross was there to provide shelter, food and support to help people devastated by three historic, back-to-back hurricanes - Harvey, Irma and Maria - and the most destructive week of wildfires in California history.
Each day, the Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need. Last year, across Connecticut the Red Cross was there to support thousands of our neighbors affected by emergencies to help them get back on their feet, and responded to more than 700 emergencies in Connecticut, the majority of which were home fires. We provided immediate disaster assistance to more than 1,300 families in the form of emergency shelter; food; clothing; children’s items; and other household needs. In addition, more than 6,000 smoke alarms were installed as part of the Home Fire Campaign.
We also taught 67,500 Connecticut residents how to protect themselves and their families or to help others in an emergency through classes in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard training, Babysitter training, Community Disaster Education programs and more. Your local Red Cross provided emergency communications, counseling services and emergency financial assistance to more than 600 military families. We reached an additional 3,500 plus military personnel with information about our services through our “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” program. We serviced 36 international social service cases for local clients, including family tracing and reunification services; over 550 individuals were provided with information on International Humanitarian Law and International Red Cross activities. In addition, we collected of more than 105,000 units of blood at more than 3,500 blood drives to provide lifesaving blood components, plasma derivatives and transfusion services to hospitals and acute care facilities in Connecticut.
“Give with meaning this holiday season and join with people around the globe to make an impact on #GivingTuesday,” says Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross, Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “Every gift counts, no matter the size. Please consider making a financial donation, giving blood or platelets, or signing up to become a Red Cross volunteer today.”
Where to #GiveWithMeaning on Giving Tuesday:
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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