Red Cross Increases CA Relief Effort
As the need for shelters continues, the Red Cross responds

Date:	October 26, 2007
Contact:	Diane Concannon, Public Relations Director 609.951.2116; (cell) 609.206.4043 concannond@njredcross.org

PRINCETON, NJ, October 26, 2007 – The Red Cross continues to open new shelters as others close. In some areas, services are transitioning to bulk distribution of cleanup supplies and individual client assistance. So far, the Red Cross has opened two dozen shelters, providing more than 6,000 people with a safe place to stay. The Red Cross continues to extend offers of supplies and expertise to other shelters in the area.

Also, since Sunday, hundreds of mental health professionals trained by the Red Cross in disaster response have provided services to thousands of people affected by the California wildfires. Estimates of the number of homes lost are growing and some have lost loved ones, pets and treasured possessions. Mental health workers are currently screening, assisting and providing referrals in Red Cross shelters, client intake centers and local government aid centers.

Here is a snapshot of current Red Cross activities as of midnight, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007:

• The Red Cross has provided over 15,000 overnight stays in its shelters, and 24,000 meals during this incident.
• The Red Cross has over 3,000 workers on site in Southern California, including volunteers from all 50 states.
• The Red Cross is operating 23 shelters throughout the region, 14 of which are in San Diego.
• Staffing several aid stations throughout the region are providing food and water; health and mental health assessments; and they are distributing cleanup supplies.
• The Red Cross Safe & Well website (www.redcross.org), where people can register to let their loved ones know they are safe, has over 1,300 registrations, with more than 300 successful matches.
  

As of last evening, Red Cross Chapters in New Jersey had deployed a total of 18 Disaster Relief Volunteers to Southern California, including five from the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey.

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 California wildfires, 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.

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707 Alexander Road, Suite 101, Princeton, NJ 08540-6311. 609-951-8550 . Fax: 609-951-9787
Hunterdon Branch: 349 Route 31 South, Suite 501, Flemington, NJ 08822 . 908-782-4121 . Fax: 908-782-2864
www.njredcross.org