American Red Cross Launches $500,000 Fundraising Effort for Disaster Relief Fund

When it rains, it pours! Yes, an old cliché, but during National Red Cross Month in March this phrase took on a literal meaning in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. According to Red Cross officials - March might just as well have been called "Massachusetts Disaster Month" with a rash of winter storms, rain, flooding and fires affecting over 2,500 residents of the state.

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund ensures that the organization fulfils its mission to alleviate human suffering after a disaster by providing food, clothing and shelter. Through immediate response in meeting individual disaster caused needs, more than $500,000 from the American Red Cross disaster relief fund has been committed to helping people in the Commonwealth.

Precipitation ranging from three feet of snow to 13 inches of rain touched every community in eastern Massachusetts. In addition, a rash of large fires displaced hundreds throughout the state. Three major storms in 28 days stretched Red Cross resources to provide shelter and to help many residents whether they lived in a coastal community or inland. After a deluge of rain, Red Cross volunteers logged thousands of hours going into affected communities, knocking door-to-door to meet with families and provide assistance as needed.

Locally, since July 1, 2001, disaster trained volunteers from the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts have responded to 75 incidents involving over 950 individuals. Within the past month alone, the local Chapter has responded to two major fires here in Central Massachusetts. The Fountainhead Apartment Fire in Westboro, which displaced over 300 residents for over 15 days, and just three weeks later, a fire at the Wayside Condominium Complex in Marlboro which has left an additional 180 clients homeless. Both incidents were declared National Disaster Relief Efforts due to the large amount of damage and the number of individuals affected. Volunteers from nine states were called in to provide mutual aid to the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts after the recent fire in Marlboro.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and chapters in the Commonwealth raise funds year-round to provide immediate comfort and care through local efforts. On average in the Bay State, the American Red Cross responds to two single-family household fires a day. These responses, in addition to the rash of weather emergencies in March, makes it necessary for the American Red Cross to ask for the public's help.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the public. To help the victims of this and other disasters, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by calling 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

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