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CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS HELP AT MIDWEST DISASTERS
Severe storms and heavy rainfall this past spring
in the central United States caused serious flash flooding in
already saturated areas. The American Red Cross was there to help
victims of the flooding and tornadoes through a major disaster
relief operation covering several states.
To provide the workforce for this operation, the
Red Cross brought in workers from all over the country to these
states. Six volunteers from the local Granite Chapter left in June
to help with the Midwestern Red Cross disaster relief operation.
Helen Champa from Pembroke and Phil Jones from
Gilmanton Iron Works are trained by the chapter in disaster
response, and active members of the Concord Area Disaster Action
Team. Champa went to Iowa and Jones headed for Indiana.
Peter Fortier of Contoocook left for Des Moines,
Iowa, to work with distribution food and bulk items, like cleaning
supplies. Laura Volker from Northfield helped with management of a
facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Two volunteers, formerly of New Hampshire, were
sent by the Granite Chapter even though they now live out-of-state.
Holly McMeekin from Virginia went to Madison, Wisconsin, to work on
communications and other technical support. Denise Smith from
Arkansas helped with support of staff services in Wichita, Kansas.
The Red Cross relief operations are still continuing in many
of the affected states. Disaster volunteers provide for the immediate needs of
tornado and flood victims, including food, shelter and counseling. To date, the
Red Cross operation, “May & June Floods, Tornadoes & Wildfire Response,” has
opened 126 shelters and evacuation centers, served more than 1,000,000 meals and
snacks, made almost 18,000 mental health contacts and handed out about 53,000
kits with clean-up supplies.
All Red Cross disaster relief is free to those who need it. Donations to the
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund help in the recovery for victims of
these and other disasters. The Red Cross anticipates that this spring’s relief
efforts will cost tens of millions of dollars.
“It is with the help of the American public that we are able to respond to these
disasters,” said Tim Murray, Regional Executive Director for the NH Region of
the American Red Cross. “It doesn’t matter whether someone is affected by a
tornado in Iowa, a flood in Indiana, or a burned out home next door - the
victims of all disasters need the same kind of Red Cross help: food, shelter and
emotional support.”
A gift to the Disaster Relief Fund allows Red Cross workers to help disaster
victims, whether in the Midwest, New Hampshire or any other area. The Red Cross
honors donor intent, but asks people to be as flexible as possible when making
their giving choices.
To make a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund, write a check to The American
Red Cross, with “Central US Disasters” on the memo line, and mail it to the
Granite Chapter, 2 Maitland Street, Concord, NH 03301, or call the chapter at
1-800-464-6692. For information about the work and services of the Granite
Chapter, visit the website
www.concord-redcross.org
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