_{Media Contact: Ruby Ramirez}

(ATLANTA, MARCH 23, 2021) — Tomorrow is American Red Cross Giving Day, an annual event to help people affected by disasters across the country by donating at redcross.org/GivingDay.

After a disaster, help can’t wait. Red Cross volunteers respond to home fires and other incidents every
eight minutes in the U.S. and families urgently need essentials like emergency shelter, food, emotional support, and other assistance. In 2020, Georgia’s Red Cross disaster volunteers responded more than 2,700 times and aided over 14,000 people across the state.

Last year was a record billion-dollar disaster year where many Americans faced tornadoes, floods, and
an onslaught of winter storms. This year meteorologists are predicting a potentially volatile severe weather season this spring.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the trauma and financial strain of disasters of all sizes,
including daily home fires. Struggling families have needed help quickly and faced more hurdles to recover, as increased anxiety exacerbated many health and mental health needs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP On March 24, Red Cross Giving Day, unite with thousands of compassionate people by donating at redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support, and other assistance. On Giving Day, March 24, Energy Transfer and the Malott Family Foundation will be matching gifts, up to $300,000.

In addition, each Giving Day donation made through the Los Angeles Culinary Adventure sweepstakes during March 10-24 is an entry for a chance to win a future trip to Los Angeles — when it’s safe to do so — and four exclusive culinary experiences with celebrity chefs Antonia Lofaso, Brooke Williamson, Duff Goldman, and Ludo Lefebvre. The prize includes roundtrip airfare for the winner and one guest and three nights at the Beverly Hilton.

MARCH IS RED CROSS MONTH You can also get involved by volunteering, donating blood — especially those with type O blood — if you’re healthy and feeling well, or taking a class to learn lifesaving skills like CPR and first aid. Visit redcross.org/RedCrossMonth to learn more.

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.