November 30, 2020 — Tuesday, December 1, 2020 is recognized as Giving Tuesday nationwide. It’s an opportunity to support relief efforts through donations. Visit redcross.org/gift to share in the holiday spirit of this giving tradition. Thanks to the generosity of the Truist Foundation, all donations made through the American Red Cross website on Giving Tuesday will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000.
NATIONWIDE CALL FOR RELIEF
Facing a relentless disaster season, families in the U.S. have spent more nights in emergency lodging in 2020 than in any other year over the past decade.
“As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, local disasters like the threat of Hurricane Douglas — plus the relentless storms and wildfires nationwide — have upended hundreds of thousands of lives across the country,” said Diane Peters-Nguyen, CEO of the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region. “Through it all, more people are stepping up as Red Cross volunteers to help others — even as they cope with COVID-19. It’s a true testament to the humanitarian and Aloha spirit of people in Hawaii and across our country.”
More than 1 million times this year, a person relied on the Red Cross for relief after a disaster in the U.S. That’s more than four times the annual average from 2011 to 2019.
THOUSANDS ANSWER CALL TO HELP
This year, more than 70,000 people across the country joined the Red Cross as volunteers — who represent more than 90% of its workforce. As Hawaii and the country grapples with the pandemic, young people have played a critical role in disaster response— with Millennials and Gen Z representing more than half of new Red Cross volunteers.
Nationwide, 75% of new volunteers also stepped up at a pivotal time to fill mission-critical positions, such as shelter and health workers addressing urgent disaster needs.
Volunteers like Daniel Rostetter in Maui is among the local volunteers who traveled to assist with relief efforts during the Western Wildfires. Having experience a home fire years earlier, volunteering was a way to help others, share comfort, and find closure.
“It doesn’t feel like work; it feels like something that needs to be done,” Daniel said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
On Giving Tuesday and during the holiday season, help people in need by donating at redcross.org/gift. A gift of any size makes a difference.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
The Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. To send a contribution, mail your check to:
American Red Cross of Hawaii
4155 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii or call: (808) 739-8109.
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