The American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter has sent 18 more local volunteers to New York and New Jersey, in addition to the 20 previously deployed, to provide assistance to clients affected by superstorm Sandy and the Nor’Easter along the coast. A total of 127 volunteers have now been deployed from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas – including Tom Busk of Gilroy and Patricia DeWitt of Morgan Hill.
They will assist clients in a wide range of activities including feeding, client casework, sheltering and mass care.
In advance of the cold temperatures, the Red Cross handed out thousands of ready-to-eat meals and cold weather items for people in New York and New Jersey such as blankets, hand and foot warmers, hats and gloves, ponchos and socks. As weather conditions improve, the American Red Cross is ramping back up and expanding its large relief operations to provide shelter, hot meals, relief supplies and comfort to people in New Jersey and New York as weather and road conditions permit.
Since Superstorm Sandy hit, the Red Cross has served more than 3.3 million meals and snacks, provided nearly 30,000 health services and emotional support contacts and handed out more than 124,000 relief items to clients.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS NEEDED
This is likely to be the biggest Red Cross response in the U.S. in the past five years. Those who want to help can make a donation to support by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
LOOKING FOR LOVED ONES
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.
