Community Corner

Local Volunteers Head to Sandy-Stricken Areas

Eight Santa Cruz County Red Cross volunteers are going back East this week.

Eight American Red Cross volunteers from Santa Cruz County are heading east to provide support for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Bruce Holgers of Santa Cruz and Anderson Douglas of Royal Oaks, Sondra Ziegler of Live Oak, Anna Marie Gotti of Capitola and Joy LeClair, Jann McCord, Tiki Dellamora and Rebecca Linn of Santa Cruz. They will be assisting clients with a wide range of activities include feeding, sheltering and mass care in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

More than 9,000 people spent Tuesday night in more than 171 Red Cross shelters across 13 states where over 100,800 meals and snacks were served. More than 2,300 disaster workers and over 200 emergency vehicles have been mobilized for this relief effort. These numbers are increasing as the storm continues over Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee with heavy winder, rain and snow.

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“This response to Sandy is just getting started. The storm has left devastation in its wake and we will be helping people for weeks to come,” said Charley Shimanski, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “This will be very costly and the Red Cross needs help now. We ask everyone to support us as we help people recover from this massive storm.”

Financial and Blood Donations Needed

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Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Approximately 300 Red Cross blood drives have already been cancelled due to the storm, and more are expected. The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that people in the affected areas consider donating blood once the storm passes through and it’s safe to do so. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height), and who are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. To schedule an appointment, please go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Looking for Loved Ones

The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to be connected with one’s local Red Cross chapter.

About the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter

About the American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter The American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that depends on the generous contributions of time and money from Santa Cruz County residents and companies to provide services and programs that help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit our website at www.sccredcross.org or call us at 831-462-2881. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.


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