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THE RED CROSS WAS THERE: A Statement from the Regional Executive Director
Along with friends, neighbors and families, American Red Cross chapters were
on the scene immediately after the tornadoes on July 24th, offering help and hope
to the families and communities who were affected. Disaster relief is at the
core of the American Red Cross mission: “a humanitarian organization, led by
volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster.”
The Red Cross is designed to respond effectively and quickly to disasters, large
or small. When the call came in on Thursday noon that storms had damaged, even
destroyed, homes in eastern NH, Red Cross disaster volunteers started arriving
at the Granite, Greater Manchester and Great Bay Chapters. Communications with
local fire and police departments and state emergency agencies gradually brought
into focus the magnitude of the disaster.
Calls to local vendors brought in food for all involved. Distributing food and
water started Thursday afternoon with 150 meals to emergency responders. For the
next several days, over 10,000 meals snacks and beverages were handed out free
to disaster victims and emergency responders by Red Cross workers.
By the end of Thursday afternoon, two Red Cross emergency shelters were opened
in Epsom and Deerfield where disaster victims could come for food, assistance
and a dry, safe place to sleep. On Friday morning more disaster workers had
arrived from surrounding NH and VT Red Cross chapters to help with disaster
relief, form damage assessment teams, and provide administrative support.
On Saturday, Red Cross service centers were opened at the Epsom Fire Station and
the Deerfield Town Hall where people came to let Red Cross workers know what
they needed to start the long road to recovery. Because of the strong response,
the Epsom center was kept open on Sunday. Other disaster teams drove through the
affected communities contacting clients who couldn’t get to the centers. Now, a
week after the event, people still are coming to the chapter for assistance.
The capacity of an American Red Cross disaster response is helped by the
partnerships with volunteers, businesses and community leaders. There are many
to thank for help and support during the Red Cross response to this tornado
aftermath. The disaster volunteers worked long and hard days. The Epsom Fire
Department and Deerfield Town Hall staff accommodated the many people coming and
going at the service centers. Sam’s Club in Concord provided food for the
shelters and service centers. The Concord Monitor generously donated ad space
for our weekend appeal for donations to the Disaster Relief Fund, and encouraged
donations to the local chapter in Monday’s editorial. The Greater Concord
Chamber of Commerce sent out an appeal in their newsletter.
Businesses have made generous financial donations. Northeast Delta Dental
offered to match public donations up to $7,500. Laconia Savings Bank donated
$5,000. Donations are also coming in from residents throughout NH. There are
many to thank. The Red Cross chapters in New Hampshire are grateful for all
contributions, large and small, which will help us be at the side of the next
family needing disaster relief.
For further information, call the chapter at 1-800-464-6692.
Timothy F. Murray
Regional Executive Director
American Red Cross, New Hampshire Region
Concord, NH
(resident of Hopkinton)
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Disaster volunteer, Jim Timmins,
assesses
thedamage to a home in Epsom.” |
Disaster volunteers, Jim Timmins and Janet
Ducharme, look over the property damage in Epsom.” |
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