Greater Orlando volunteer John Lanzetti drove one of five local Emergency Response Vehicles to assist with Hurricane Ida relief efforts.
TAMPA, Fla. – November 29, 2021 – Massive humanitarian needs emerged in 2021 for a growing number of families displaced by climate-driven disasters and global conflict. On Giving Tuesday and during the holiday season, a donation of any size provides aid and hope in times of crisis and supports the many urgent needs of the American Red Cross humanitarian mission.
CLIMATE-DRIVEN DISASTER RESPONSES From California to New York, the Red Cross worked to bring vital relief, help and hope to hundreds of thousands of people impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding.
Local Red Cross workers always answer the call to provide comfort and care to people in need, whenever and wherever it is needed. In total, from July-October, 80 disaster workers from Central Florida accepted assignments (both-in person and virtual) supporting relief operations across 10 states.
Volunteer Theresa “Terri” Guetzlaff was one of those, driving an emergency response vehicle from Tampa to Alabama in advance of the landfall of Hurricane Ida. When asked why, she explained, “I just love it. We help so many people in so many ways, but what really means the most is that Red Cross is there.”
After making landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Central Florida sent a second wave of responders. Volunteer Michael Hill was among them. “After I retired, I joined the Red Cross and I’ve been with this organization for almost six years -- and that’s because the need is there and I have the ability help,” he said.
Central Florida workers also supported relief operations for California wildfires and Tennessee Tornados.
GLOBAL CONFLICT CREATES MASS NEEDS FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES In the midst of an international humanitarian crisis, the Red Cross supported evacuees from Afghanistan and U.S. military members at the request of federal government partners. Red Cross workers from across the country – including 11 from Central Florida -- provided critical care services on several military installations.
Local volunteers deployed to bases in Texas, Wisconsin and Indiana. Volunteer Erica Santella was one of the first to accept the assignment. She shared some perspective on the size of the operation in Ft. Bliss, “When I arrived, there were around 300 evacuees. When I left (three weeks later), there were more than 10,000 men, women and children.”
Since Afghanistan evacuees often arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Santella explained that volunteers would race to place blankets, comfort kits and towels on the cots and bunk beds so the evacuees would have some things when they arrived. Later, truckloads of clothing and shoes had to be sorted by gender, age and size. In total, the Red Cross distributed more than 2.1 million essential items, along with emotional support and medical assistance.
HOW TO HELP ON GIVING TUESDAY AND THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON For people whose lives are upended by disasters and humanitarian crises around the world, provide aid by making a donation at redcross.org/gift. People can also give the gift of time at redcross.org/VolunteerToday.
WITH APPRECIATION The Red Cross is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of regional partner Circle K and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.
The American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands serves 19 Florida counties through five chapters: Florida’s Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay; and the Virgin Islands territories of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, visit redcross.org. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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