DAYTONA BEACH, FL; February 17, 2007 – Notice was posted today at the Lady Lake Town Hall, 441 and Fennel Street, Lady Lake, that the American Red Cross has closed its disaster relief service center but is continuing to provide assistance in the community.
Individuals and families who were unable to apply at the Service Center or who need further assistance should call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636). A Red Cross worker will contact you.
Comments Off | 
Alerts, News Releases | 
Permalink
Posted by Ike Pigott
|
Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation at a GlanceNumbers as of End of Day 3/06/2007 |
||
| Last 24 Hours | To Date | |
| Total Cases Opened | 1 | 504 |
| Number of Clients Served | 2 | 1345 |
| Meals and Snacks Served | 0 | 100,927 |
| Clean Up Kits Distributed | 0 | 933 |
| Comfort Kits Distributed | 0 | 4,615 |
| Bulk Items Distributed to Clients | 0 | 16,272 |
| Mobile Feeding Units | 0 | 26 |
| Mental Health Contacts | 0 | 2694 |
| Health Services Contacts | 0 | 2011 |
| Shelters Open | 0 | 7 |
| Number in Shelter | 0 | 71 |
| Total Red Cross Relief Workers | 18 | 653 |
| VolunteersGrand Total All Staff | 228270 | 664 |
Comments Off | Fast Facts (Statistics) | Permalink
Posted by bobh
(Click the graphic above for a printable release)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross today announced that most American wireless subscribers can make a charitable donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and assist relief efforts such as those ongoing in Florida, by utilizing the Text 2HELP™ program established by their partnership. Here’s how it works: Subscribers of participating wireless carriers can donate $5 to relief efforts simply by text messaging keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). The donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances and 100 percent of the donation will go directly to the Red Cross.
Wireless carriers participating in Text 2HELP™ are AT&T/Cingular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Dobson Communications Corporation, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. VeriSign is powering the intelligent messaging infrastructure to enable the short message service.
Text 2HELP™ was initially created to aid Hurricane Katrina relief assistance. The donation program is initiated whenever a natural disaster occurs and an American Red Cross assessment determines its relief effort will require a substantial level of support. Such is the case with the Florida tornado and storms. Text 2HELP™ has been activated and contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted through April 2. Money from the fund is used to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida.
Trained Red Cross disaster workers have provided more than 38,357 meals and snacks, distributed more than 3,500 comfort and clean-up kits, and delivered 11,800 bulk items to tornado victims in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties. The mobile relief is being carried out by a fleet of 38 Emergency Response Vehicles which operate as feeding stations, bulk distribution centers, and community aid stations offering health and mental health services. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Central Florida tornadoes, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by member companies of CTIA – The Wireless Association® in 1991. The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society. www.wirelessfoundation.org
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
(Click the graphic above for a printable release)
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 12- Many Floridians are familiar with the warnings and procedures for hurricanes, yet severe weather doesn’t always play by a steady calendar. The Coast-to-Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is proud to join with the state of Florida and other organizations to promote Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness Week.
Within the past six weeks, tornados have twice ripped across central Florida. The most recent storms on February 2nd killed 20 people in Lake County. (You can track the latest on the Red Cross response at http://redcrossflorida.wordpress.com) Tornados do not come with the days of warning many in Florida come to expect during hurricane season. This is why the Red Cross is urging families to familiarize themselves with these and other potential weather hazards.
“The best news about being prepared is that most of the steps and planning remains the same across the board,” said Alan Ball, Southeast Disaster Response Director for the Red Cross. “You don’t have to have thirteen different plans for thirteen different disasters. Once you’ve started preparing for one, you’re well on the way to being ready for most anything.” The Red Cross maintains an updated list of recommended plans and preparations for the home and workplace at www.redcross.org.
Additionally, floridadisaster.org has valuable information for families, designed so a child can understand (http://www.floridadisaster.org/kids/index2.htm). It includes advice and suggestions for the following weather-related events:
· Lightning
· Hurricanes
· Floods
· Tornadoes
· Thunderstorms
· Wildfires
Florida’s Hazardous Weather Week includes a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, February 14th. Those participating in the full drill will walk through every step of a tornado event, from an early morning Tornado Watch to an actual warning. (In the event of actual severe weather that day, the drill will be moved to Friday the 16th.)
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of the Central Florida Tornado and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800- RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by Ike Pigott
WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 9, 2007—The people in Central Florida are still recovering from the devastation caused by last week’s tornadoes, which killed 20 people and impacted more than 2,000 homes in the area. The American Red Cross was among the first on the ground helping disaster victims with food, shelter, counseling and other assistance. The rapid response to the basic needs of residents was made possible by generous donations by members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The ADGP provides the Red Cross with a guaranteed source of funding to respond to thousands of disasters around the country each year.
Trained Red Cross disaster workers have provided more than 38,357 meals and snacks, distributed more than 3,500 comfort and clean-up kits, and delivered 11,800 bulk items to tornado victims in Lake,
Sumter, and Volusia counties.
“Our ADGP members’ gifts to disaster preparedness and the Disaster Relief Fund helped our organization respond immediately with shelter and other services to those in need,” said Jack McGuire, Interim President and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Communities often think of the Red Cross after a disaster has already affected thousands of lives. ADGP members are truly unique because they ensure the Red Cross has the resources to respond before a disaster strikes.”
ADGP members pledge donations on an on-going basis, in advance of major disasters, to help the American Red Cross ensure immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income. Members include:
American Express Foundation
AT&T
AXA Foundation
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
Citigroup Foundation
ConAgra Foods Foundation
FedEx Corporation
Halliburton
JCPenney Company Fund
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Marriott International, Inc
Merck & Co., Inc
Morgan Stanley
Nestlé Waters
North America
Raytheon
State Farm
State Street Corporation
Target
TJX Companies, Inc
Woodman of the World/Omaha Woodman Life Insurance Society
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Central Florida tornadoes, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”
Daytona Beach, FL, February 10, 2007 - February 9 marked one week since tornados devastated communities in the Central Florida Counties of Lake, Sumter and Volusia.
Since the night of the devastation tornados, the American Red Cross has provided people with food, supplies, shelters, emergency assistance, health services and emotional support.
The Red Cross will continue to provide assistance throughout the weekend. People in the affected areas who still have emergency disaster-caused needs should call 1-866-GET-INFO and arrange to meet with a Red Cross worker.
Robert Scheifele, Administrator for Mass Care, expects it will be “business as usual” over the Feb. 10-11 weekend. He said there is usually a major push over the weekend since people are home then, trying to clean up and repair their lives.
Although, people’s immediate needs for food and supplies may begin to taper off in the coming days, emergency assistance and emotional support will go on as people continue the process of rebuilding. American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are still providing food and snacks. Other ERVs are distributing clean-up kits, with such items as rakes, shovels, gloves, brushes, mops, buckets, sponges, bleach, disinfectant, and sunscreen to help people pick up the pieces and move forward.
In addition, two ERVs per day have served as community aid stations – providing contacts to arrange emotional support or other assistance.
“They are magnets to draw people out,” Scheifele said.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
Tina Hardy/American Red Cross
Sandi Goebel and her friends, Ron and Pat Beal and Jim and Sally Lovelly, sat at the American Red Cross feeding center on Thursday, February 8th having dinner that had been prepared by volunteers. They welcomed me as I sat down to join them.
As we began to talk, they told me Sandi’s mobile home had sustained major damage in the tornados and is scheduled to be demolished within the next several days. Sandi and her four friends were there removing what could be salvaged from her home before it is crushed and pushed to the side of the road. As we began to talk about the devastation that was all around us and how each of them had been affected by this tragedy stories of gratitude, faith and divine intervention were shared.
Sandi told me she was awakened in the night by the loud noise and had gotten out of bed and tried to close the window. She realized that it must have been a tornado because her roof was now in her kitchen. She called her friend Sally, who said she would come get her, not realizing that she would not be able to get through the debris field that now existed in Lady Lake.
As Sally began to share her memory of that night, she told me of Sandi’s phone call and how she could barely speak to her for crying with concern for her friend. She also shared a story that Sandi had told her. Apparently a few day’s before the tornados, Sandi was cleaning out her storage shed in the back yard and had found a pair of her husband’s shoes. Her husband had passed away two years ago and she wanted to save his shoes so she put them on the steps. After the storm, as Sandi observed the damage, she realized that her mobile home had been shifted off its foundation and one side of her home was caved in; but her husband’s shoes were still on the steps where she had lovingly placed them just the day before.
Sandi told me “my husband was watching out for me”.
Sandi and her friends expressed their appreciation for the American Red Cross and all the help they had received since the tornados hit. Sandi plans to purchase a new home and place in the same spot. “I have such wonderful friends here; I don’t want to leave them”
The Lovelly’s and the Beal’s are helping their friend Sandi get through this life changing tragedy. Their friendship and concern for each other will not change her losses due to this event, but it will help to make the recovery easier.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousand of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
Tina Hardy/American Red Cross
On Thursday, Feb. 8, I visited a Red Cross shelter in Deland, Fla. for victims of the recent tornados. While there, I met Ricky Noble, a Red Cross disaster volunteer from Oakland, California. Ricky is one of the hundreds of volunteers who are in Florida helping people affected by the recent tornados. His training in Mass Care qualifies him to work in shelters and to feed large numbers of people during a disaster.
At 24 years old, he has a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and plans to go to medical school. He worked his way through college as a prep cook and enjoyed it so much he open a catering business called “Everyday Gourmet”. Ricky and his business partner also own and operate a moving company.
He said his first experience with the Red Cross was when he gave blood in high school. When Hurricane Katrina hit, he wanted to do something to help, so he went down to his local Red Cross chapter and signed up as a volunteer. Since then, he has been deployed twice: Once during Hurricane Wilma and now for the Florida tornados.
When I asked him why he wanted to be a Red Cross volunteer, he said, “I wanted to do something to help in a direct, hands-on way”. He likes the fact that Red Cross is an organization that brings people from all walks of life, from all over the country, together in one place to help people whose lives have been dramatically altered by circumstances beyond their control. When the circumstances are at their worst, the American Red Cross spirit is at its best, Ricky stated.
I noticed a green stretch bandage on his right arm and knew immediately that at some point during the day, he had given blood. When I asked him about it, he said that he had passed a sign saying that there was a community blood drive that day and he knew he was eligible to give. When I asked him why he had taken time out of his already hectic day to give blood, he said, “it’s just another way I can help”.
As we continued to talk about the Red Cross disaster relief operation in progress, I was impressed with how accomplished he was at such a young age and how giving he was at such a young age.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousand of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
February 8, 2007 – When the tornados hit on Friday, February 2nd, Bill and Carol Davis were in Daytona Beach enjoying their vacation. They were here to enjoy the Daytona 500 Race and to spend time with family and friends. Their relaxing vacation plans changed on February 2nd when three F3 tornados hit Volusia, Seminole, Sumter and Lake Counties resulting in 20 lives being lost and devastating damage to the area. Upon realizing the enormity of the situation, the Davis’s were immediately moved to do something to help.
Carol has a long history with the American Red Cross as a blood donor. She also signed up to be a bone marrow donor and was on the registry for many years. Knowing that the American Red Cross would be helping the victims of the tornados, Carol called the Red Cross Coast to Coast Chapter to see how she and Bill could help. On Sunday they came to the chapter and sign up as volunteers.
Sunday evening their son Mike, who is a pilot with ExpressJet Airlines, flew in to spend some time with his parents and to go to the Daytona 500 Race with his dad. As Mike greeted his parents he asked “what are we doing this weekend”? His parents responded “we’re going down to the Red Cross chapter to help them respond to these tornados. On Monday morning Bill, Carol and Mike reported to the Red Cross.
Bill and Mike, neither of whom are carpenters, stepped in to build a ramp and steps in the back of the Red Cross building to aid in loading and unloading relief supplies. Carol, who is an Attorney in Boston, Mass., went to work coordinating and printing the thousands of copies of documents necessary to run the relief operation.
The Davis family are very special people indeed. Bill and Carol not only gave up part of their vacation to help the victims of this disaster, but they recruited their son Mike to help. The Davis family is indicative of the 436 Red Cross volunteers that are here in Florida helping their neighbors begin the long road to recovery following this life changing disaster. The Davis family is a perfect example of what being a Red Cross volunteer is all about.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, . Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”
P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC
20013
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
Phil Attinger/American Red Cross
Reba Nickolai, 55, of Deland, Fla., has withstood Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne. She got a trailer from FEMA, but lost it last year when the program ended. She’s survived cancer while living with friends and neighbors.
In addition, she’s been chased out of homes by tornados twice in the last two months. On Christmas Day 2006, she and her dog Bartholomew (“Bart”) and cat Corn Muffin were with neighbors in Orangewood Grove when the house was destroyed. On Feb. 2, tornados destroyed her friends’ home on Bott’s Landing Road.
Her animals survived and are staying with friends. Nickolai is coping with her losses, though her eyes tear up as she talks about one friend, a Wal-Mart employee from Lake County, who died in the tornados. She said many people who lost loved ones from Lake County need counseling.
“The death of my friends is hard to take,” she said. “This has touched everyone in Volusia County, in some way.”
Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Kate Amatruda, Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, said cumulative stress can be a major problem for disaster victims, especially when one disaster follows another, or when there are several losses from one disaster. The Red Cross offers emotional support in times of disaster.
One of the ways Nickolai copes is offering her own support. Since going to the Red Cross shelter in Deland, she leaves each day to help friends recover, make arrangements for a new apartment, and gather resource information for the Red Cross. When a man arrived at the shelter in a medical-issue disposable “paper suit,” she donated her extra pair of sweats and a shirt for him to wear.
She does all this with a hurt elbow from the Christmas Day Tornados, with swelling and puncture wounds in her left leg, and still recovering from cancer treatments.
She doesn’t understand why people haven’t gone to the shelter to get help, rather than staying at their homes, worrying about their possessions. She thinks some may be so traumatized, they might never come in.
People should pull together in a disaster, like ants do, Nickolai said.
“I ain’t never seen ants pack suitcases and leave the mound and say I ain’t going to help,” she said.
“I’m blessed to be alive,” she added.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, . Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”
P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC
20013
Comments Off | News Releases | Permalink
Posted by bobh
Disaster Headlines from RedCross.org