VERO BEACH, Fla. (December 11, 2017) — The American Red Cross of Indian River County received a $38,000 grant from the John’s Island Foundation for the purchase of a pickup truck that will be used for disaster and humanitarian services and programs.

The vehicle was presented to Sarah Ruwe, Executive Director for the local chapter. “Our fleet of vehicles is on the road every day, providing a constant community presence and helping deliver our lifesaving programs and services,” said Ruwe. “We are honored and grateful to John’s Island Foundation for this donation; thanks to their generosity we will be able to reach out to additional members of our community”

The truck will be used in Indian River County as a tow vehicle for Red Cross trailers housed at the Vero Beach airport, which include a shelter strike trailer and a trailer to move items such as special needs cots. It will also be used by the Disaster Action Team to respond to home fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, Home Fire Prevention Campaign volunteer teams of four canvas neighborhoods and install smoke alarms at no cost to those homes in need. With this vehicle, these teams can travel to any area in the county, carrying ladders and other supplies needed for installation.

In its grant application to the John’s Island Foundation, the Red Cross Vero Beach Chapter requested the purchase of a four-door, heavy-duty pickup truck with towing capabilities in order to deliver crucial services to the community. The Red Cross relies on a fleet of more than nearly 6,000 vehicles to transport volunteers, shelter supplies, food and other relief items to disaster sites, to carry proper supplies to health and safety trainings and to deliver comfort and care items to wounded warriors.

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 www.redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.

About John’s Island Foundation: The John’s Island Foundation raises funds from the John’s Island Community for the purpose of making grants to fund capital requirements to agencies serving the economically disadvantaged in Indian River County. The Foundation seeks to make grants to agencies whose programs are primarily directed toward supporting basic human needs such as food, shelter, assistance with disabilities/health issues, safety from abuse and children’s education.

Photo information (left to right): Ben Trautman, Community Volunteer Leader; Taylor Hoskins, Red Cross Board Member; Jim Anderson, Red Cross Board Chair; Sarah Ruwe, Executive Director American Red Cross, Florida’s Coast to Heartland Chapter; Ken Wessel, John’s Island Foundation Board Chair and Carole Parks, John’s Island Foundation Board Member.