Lady Lake Service Center Closed

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.

Annual Gifts Help Ensure Quick Response to Florida Tornadoes

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.”

All Red Cross Shelters Closed

All Red Cross Shelters are currently closed.

Red Cross Tornado Disaster Relief Operation Continues

(DAYTONA BEACH, February 5, 2007) – The American Red Cross continues responding to the tornadoes that impacted Lake, Sumter and Volusia counties on Friday morning. More than 200 volunteers from Red Cross Chapters across Florida and the United States have arrived to assist with relief efforts at the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter.

Two Red Cross Shelters remain open.

Babe James Community Center 201 North Myrtle Ave. New Smyrna Beach

Chisholm Community Center 520 Clara S. Ave Deland

Yesterday, trained Red Cross disaster workers provided more than 11,000 meals and snacks, and distributed 1,400 comfort and clean-up kits to those affected in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties. Distributions will continue today.

Individuals and families in the affected area can call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636) to get information on relief assistance that is currently available from the Red Cross. In upcoming days and weeks the American Red Cross will continue helping people affected by the tornadoes while they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Concerned family and friends searching for persons affected by the tornado disaster can do so by visiting www.redcross.org. The web site features a secure section called Safe and Well where people in the affected area can register their well-being and where friends and family elsewhere can access that information.

Individuals and companies that wish to help their neighbors by supporting Red Cross disaster relief efforts through a financial donation or by volunteering can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.

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 these tornadoes 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. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the Coast to Coast Chapter located at 341 White St. Daytona Beach, FL. 32114, (386)226-1400 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.

End

Welcome

All of this information is available to the public.  It is designed to provide media with the latest information about the American Red Cross response to the devistating tornados which struck Central Florida in February 2007.  Latest information is provided about how those affected can get help and how their neighbors can help.