The American Red Cross North Carolina Region is recognizing Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina, for supporting Red Cross Disaster Relief. This is the 5^th^ year they have committed to helping with the Disaster Responder Program. Thanks to contributions in advance of disasters, the Red Cross is prepared to help meet the needs of people affected by disasters big and small, anytime and anywhere across the U.S.

“We’re so excited and grateful for the support and collaboration Old Dominion has given over the years” said Heather Frazee, executive director of the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Red Cross. “With their ongoing support of our mission, they are proactively helping us in disaster situations that are coming ahead, so we can serve our people when disaster happens.”

Members of the Disaster Responder Program—along with their employees and customers—pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters. This helps to power the Red Cross with strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support to those in crisis. Annual contributions like these allow the Red Cross to respond whenever and wherever disasters occur, help families during the recovery process and prepare people for future emergencies.

“Disaster strikes every day and the American Red Cross is helping mitigate that. We see you as great partners, doing some great humanitarian things to help get relief to where it needs to be” said Patrick Budd, communications manager with Old Dominion Freight Line. “We set on this mission 4 years ago with the Red Cross, and it’s really helped folks that have experienced disaster, making sure we’re serving them before it happens. We don’t want to be reactive, we want to be proactive.”

As part of the Disaster Responder Program, Old Dominion has launched redcross.org/odfl as a platform to channel employee and customer donations to the Red Cross. Old Dominion will also leverage Red Cross assets to help its more than 22,000 employees better prepare for disasters.

While large disasters like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires typically draw national attention, each year, the Red Cross responds to more than 62,000 disasters across the country—the majority of which are home fires. Generous contributions from Disaster Responder members enable the Red Cross to provide services to people in need of assistance at no cost and regardless of income.

And thanks to Disaster Responder members, Red Cross volunteers are also in their local communities every day, conducting disaster preparedness presentations and giving people the reassurance and confidence to face crises of all kinds.

Individuals can help people affected by disasters big and small by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations to Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/nc or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross_NC