Published: November 11, 2008 11:17 am      

American Red Cross sets fund-raising goal

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — After being hit with expenses in providing help to victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the American Red Cross is pushing to raise $100 million.

“Our portion is $24,000,” ARC Mid Southern Illinois Chapter Executive Director Cindy May said. “All the funds for our disaster relief fund ... comes from the general public.”

May said during the two hurricanes alone there were 824 shelter locations in the affected areas that provided temporary shelter for 400,000 people.

“Can you imagine 400,000 people that did not have anywhere else to go?” May asked.

Almost 6 million meals were served, disbursed through emergency response vehicles in hurricane affected neighborhoods. The Mid Southern Chapter, which serves Jefferson, Hamilton, Washington and Wayne counties, sent seven disaster services volunteers, including Vicki Phelps, who said she worked on one of the ERV’s out of Houston.

“I never felt more useful in my whole life,” Phelps said of her time working in the hurricane area. “We fed 47,749 meals every day.”

In addition to food and shelter, the American Red Cross also provided 8.5 million snacks; 106,000 clean-up kits; and 103,000 comfort kits containing items such as toothpaste, soap and shampoo. May reported that 22,000 Red Cross workers were on scene for the disaster relief.

May said the deadline local Red Cross chapters have been given to raise their goals is Dec. 31.

Anyone who would like information about how to help the Red Cross meet its goal may contact the local office at 244-2083, or go online at www.jeffersoncounty.redcross.org.