Tennesseans can help by making a donation, giving blood, or training to volunteer
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2020 — Hundreds of trained American Red Cross disaster workers are helping 24-7 in California, Louisiana and Texas to support people impacted by the devastating wildfires in northern California and the massive destruction left behind by Hurricane Laura.
“August has been an incredibly busy month for the Red Cross with hundreds of disaster workers responding to help people whose lives were turned upside down by wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive of the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. “These people need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or training to become a Red Cross volunteer today.”
HURRICANE RELIEF: Along the Gulf Coast, more than 1,300 trained Red Cross disaster workers, including 28 volunteers from the Tennessee Region, have been mobilized on the ground and virtually to help people impacted by the devastation left behind by Hurricane Laura. The Red Cross has teams of volunteers circulating through accessible areas to assess damage and provide ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks. With the help of partners, the Red Cross has already served more than 24,000 meals and snacks. Sunday night, various agencies helped about 20,000 people stay in emergency lodgings, including shelters and, in some instances, hotels. Red Cross workers are also helping to replace prescription medications, eyeglasses and offer emotional support to people whose lives have been turned upside down.
WILDFIRES: Nearly two weeks after first igniting, nearly 54,000 people still can’t return home in northern California with devastating wildfires continuing to burn out of control. Hundreds of Red Cross trained disaster workers are focused on providing food, shelter, relief supplies and comfort to people in need. The Red Cross is helping people affected by wildfires in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
The Red Cross is also still helping to provide food, shelter and support for people in Iowa and Illinois after a recent derecho caused widespread damage across parts of both states.
HOW TENNESSEANS CAN HELP
Donate a monetary gift to help us serve our mission of providing help to those in need:
Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or “LAURA” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Give Blood: We encourage eligible blood donors in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Learn more here.
Volunteer: Make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review the Tennessee Region’s most urgently needed volunteer positions here – on the ground, virtual and local - and train to be prepared when disaster strikes: http://redcross.org/volunteertoday.
