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By
the Numbers:
- The Central Maryland Chapter of the Red Cross has provided
disaster relief 1550 Katrina
evacuees, including immediate
cash assistance and other resources.
- Nearly 3,000 volunteers
have inquired about volunteer possibilities here or in
the disaster region.
- Nearly 850 volunteers
have already signed up to be trained for and deployed
to the Gulf region (as described above) for minimum
3 weeks.
- Central Maryland Chapter has raised nearly
$3 million for Katrina relief.
Congratulations to the staff and
volunteers (and staff who are also volunteers) here who
have put in endless hours and energy into responding to
this catastrophe.
- Central Maryland Chapter continues to respond to as
many as 3 local disasters
everyday.
Nationally:
The Red Cross expects to meet the emergency needs of nearly
one million families in three key areas:
We have no intention of raising a single dollar more than
we need for the Katrina response, and will announce when
we have raised sufficient funds.
In similar vein, the Red Cross adopted a policy to NOT
be the sole beneficiary of any Katrina telethons, instead
insisting that they benefit other organizations like the
Salvation Army.
In recognition of the immense need left by Hurricane Katrina,
the Red Cross has been saying from the start that the survivors
will require the engagement of the entire charity sector,
community groups and government at every level. Communities
must come together to help nearly one million people rebuild
their lives.
Official Red Cross policy known as "Donor Direct" ensures
that contributions are always restricted to the need specified
by the donor.
September 16, 2005
LOCAL RED CROSS SAYS “THANKS,” URGES CAUTION
IN MAKING HURRICANE DONATIONS
Officials at the Red Cross of Central Maryland expressed
gratitude today for generous donations to the Hurricane
Katrina relief effort, the largest mobilization of the
organization’s resources for a single natural disaster.
It involves thousands of trained disaster relief workers,
tons of supplies and shoulders to lean on.
“Because of the overwhelming generosity of Baltimore
area donors, businesses and other organizations, it may
take a while for everyone to receive acknowledgement letters
and tax receipts,” cautioned Lenore Koors, a fundraiser
for the Central Maryland Chapter.
She also said that donors should beware of scams, people
representing Red Cross volunteers who are not authorized
to collect funds. “We are not sending people door-to-door
or allowing them to stand on street corners,” she
said. “Every group that collects money has signed
an agreement with the Red Cross of Central Maryland, and
should be able to produce that agreement if requested.”
The following internet sites serve as locations where
members of the public can make contributions to the American
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Convio, American.Redcross.org,
MSN, Network for Good, Amazon.com, Apple I Tunes, and
Yahoo!
Individual donors may call 1-800-HELP-NOW to phone in
their contributions.
What you can do to help:
Donate
Funds:
-
Because the Red Cross is on the scene as the
tragedy unfolds and providing assistance before the
full extent of the catastrophe has been tallied, we
need cash donations so that we can respond to each situation
and each need accordingly.
>>
The
Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes.
In central Maryland, the Red Cross responds
to two to three disasters daily.
>>
Most disasters don’t make the news, but are equally
devastating to someone who loses everything.
>>
Funds are urgently needed so that the Red Cross
is able to respond to every disaster at
the time of the disaster.
>>
Donate online at https://www.redcross-cmd.org/Chapter/donateform.html
or send your contribution to
American Red Cross
P. O. Box Disaster Relief,
Baltimore, MD 21263-0550.
Give
Blood:
-
Visit www.my-redcross.org for a list of blood
drives in your area.
>>
Each
donation of blood helps save three lives.
>>
Red
Cross donation centers are open extended hours to accept
your donation. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a donation.
Volunteer:
-
Without volunteers emergency disaster relief
could not be provided to those in crisis.
- Volunteers
are the reason the Red Cross is able to be there on
the scene as the disaster unfolds. Email us at volunteers@arc-cmc.org
or call 624-2023 to schedule an appointment.
To
open your home to hurricane victims: The
City of Baltimore has begun registering guest housing
for the victims of Katrina. created to join those who
have space with those who need it. Though not a Red Cross
site, it is sponsored by a reputable organization. Please
visit during off-peak hours as it is easily overloaded
and unavailable.
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Volunteering
Locally
If you would like to volunteer locally to help us help the victims
of the hurricane and other local disasters, please call 410-624-2024.
We need volunteers to speak to organizations about the Red Cross,
instruct health and safety classes, help with clerical support
and at special events to raise money for disaster relief.
Please register
for our November 21st orientation from 4 - 5:30 PM.
Other
Recent News
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FRAUD
ALERT |
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Redcross.org
is the only Red Cross site that you can donate to without
doubt. Or call 800-HELP-NOW. 800-435-7669. Visit Charity
Navigator check the authenticity of every other site and
link to those sites from there. Be very wary of unsolicited
email requests. They will look very, very real but are actually
just copies. |
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Why
the Red Cross Cannot Accept Material Goods and Donations
>>
The Red Cross cannot accept donations of material goods
(clothing or furniture) because our mission is to provide vital,
life-saving emergency relief the minute the diasaster strikes
and according to the type of disaster and the needs of the community
affected. Further, we must be accountable--able to vouch for every
single item we distribute and to verify, without a doubt, its
source. We will not risk losing the public's trust.
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