NEWS RELEASE
MEDFORD, Mass., September 26, 2018 — The American Red Cross is proud to announce it has received a $250,000 donation from General Electric to support the ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Florence.
“Hurricane Florence has impacted thousands of people and we are so grateful to General Electric for their generosity,” said Holly Grant, CEO of the American Red Cross, Massachusetts Region. “We appreciate G.E.’s support as we work to help those affected in the Southeast by providing food, shelter and care. Thank you for being a great partner.”
Over a week after Hurricane Florence made landfall, thousands of people in the Carolinas still face immediate danger from devastating river flooding. The storm poured an estimated 10 trillion gallons of water across the Carolinas, and early estimates show Florence has already impacted as many as 88,000 homes across North and South Carolina.
More than 3,600 Red Cross disaster from across the country and are working around the clock to provide safe shelter, warm meals, and comfort for families affected by Florence. In total, the Red Cross and other organizations have provided more than 96,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters. In partnership with the Southern Baptists, the Red Cross is planning to serve some 100,000 meals per day, which are being prepared in multiple field kitchens. Volunteer mental health and health services professionals have provided more than 9,600 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees, and distribute more than 3,400 relief items like diapers and comfort kits that contain deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other hygiene items for people forced from their homes.
The Red Cross is responding to devastating, prolonged flooding and needs financial donations to be able to support thousands of people right now. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Florence relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.