As Tropical Storm Isaias continues its path, the Red Cross has trained volunteers and pre-positioned shelter and relief supplies ready in advance of the storm in case people need help. Two local volunteers from the Illinois region are among the hundreds of volunteers deploying virtually and in-person to help with the response to Isaias. Kathryn Perry has already deployed to Virginia, while Steve Hilgers will leave this Tuesday, August 4 to assist in a non-congregate shelter in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Isaias is forecast to regain hurricane strength before it reaches the coast of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina. Hurricane conditions are expected by this evening.
Interview Opportunity: Steve is available for virtual interviews today. Contact Drew Brown.
HOW TO HELP: You can help people affected by disasters, like storms and countless other crises, by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Blood Donor Ambassadors Needed
Help support blood drives by welcoming blood donors and helping to enhance safety measures. As a blood donor ambassador, you will greet donors, explain the donation process as necessary and assist with initial intake and hand offs through the blood donation process. Manage donor flow at temperature taking station to ensure only donors passing temperature screen are permitted access. It is a fulfilling way to spend a few hours supporting a lifesaving mission. Sign up at redcross.org/volunteer
Blood Donation B-roll here.
HELP SAVE LIVES THIS SUMMER Give blood, platelets or plasma—we’re all in this together! Visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to schedule your donation.
About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Christian, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and Ralls. 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 us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Twitter @IllinoisRedCross.