PRINCETON, NJ, November 27, 2019 — Following a year of disasters affecting thousands of people in New Jersey and across the country, the American Red Cross asks everyone to help provide relief and comfort on Giving Tuesday by donating at redcross.org/gift.
“We are thankful to the people of New Jersey who been supportive of the Red Cross over the years by donating generously, volunteering their time, and giving their blood,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “The need is constant. Every eight minutes, someone affected by a disaster in our country turns to the Red Cross for support.”
FAMILIES FACE DISASTERS EVERY DAY This year, Red Cross volunteers have been by the sides of families affected by large events like wildfires in California, Hurricane Dorian on the East Coast, tropical storm flooding in Texas, and tornadoes and floods in the Midwest. On average, the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster every 14 days in the U.S. — on top of responding each year to tens of thousands of smaller disasters like home fires, which account for most of the 62,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.
Last year in New Jersey, Red Cross volunteers responded to 820 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping more than 2,150 families address their urgent needs like lodging, food and emotional support.
During the last two weeks alone, 269 people in 70 New Jersey families displaced by home fires received Red Cross emergency assistance. Red Cross volunteers responded to help families affected by 33 home fires across the state, including fires in Passaic, Lakewood, Newton, Jersey City, Glassboro, Edison, Mt. Olive, Shamong, Newark, Hamilton, Clifton and Millville.
“When people’s lives are upended by home fires and other crises, your support through our Holiday Campaign can provide necessities like emergency shelter, hot meals and blankets,” said Taravella.
HOW TO HELP ON #GIVINGTUESDAY People can #GiveWithMeaning on Giving Tuesday (December 3) and throughout the holiday season by donating at redcross.org/gift:
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE The holidays are a difficult time to collect blood because of busy schedules and inclement weather. Still, the need for blood is constant to help accident victims, cancer patients and others who rely on lifesaving blood products every day. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by visiting redcrossblood.org.
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.
About the American Red Cross in New Jersey:
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 8.8 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 4,400 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 820 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping 2,150 displaced families; collected more than 94,500 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 7,230 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 114,570 people with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NJ and follow us on Twitter @NJRedCross.org.
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