Help the American Red Cross Help Those Who Need It Most this Holiday Season

Courtesy of American Red Cross

So how does a national program support us locally? Since Thanksgiving, American Red Cross responded to residential fires in every corner of the state. One family left homeless has 11 children! While the parents had a sense of relief we were there, the children were most excited about the stuffed animals we provided. American Red Cross does this nearly 900 times a year in Wisconsin. They can’t do it without the support of donors, partners and trained volunteers in the communities they serve.

The American Red Cross is participating in its third annual Giving Tuesday event on December 1^st, and urges everyone to visit the 2015 American Red Cross Holiday Gift Catalog to give a meaningful – and enduring – gift of help and hope this holiday season.

“Giving something that means something on December 1st is our goal,” said American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern. “Consider a gift to a family member trying their best to cope after a home fire, a service member facing the holidays far from loved ones, or a child needing a blood transfusion. The Red Cross Holiday Gift Catalog is geared to offer a variety of gift choices that can be made in the name of a friend or family member to directly support the vital humanitarian services that we provide.”

Hundreds of times each day, the Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need. Last year, the Red Cross was there to:

• Support people affected by nearly 70,000 disasters
• Provide about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply to nearly 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers
• Deliver nearly 400,000 humanitarian services to veterans, active military members and their loved ones

For example, a home fire occurs every 7 minutes in this country, and smoke alarms save lives. Through the Red Cross holiday gift catalog, you can “purchase” a gift of fire safety training and the installation of 1 smoke alarm for $15.00.

The Red Cross holiday gift catalog contains heartwarming stories from people across the world who have been helped by the Red Cross, as well as a diverse list of symbolic gifts that illustrate what a donation in honor of a loved one, colleague, or client could mean to someone in need. The tax-deductible donation will support a Red Cross program area. A donation during Giving Tuesday can provide:

• Blankets that give comfort and security to victims of disasters
• Fire safety training and smoke alarms to help reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities
• Reconnect families who have been separated by war or disasters
• Blood services to help ensure blood is safe and available for those in need

“This holiday season, please consider giving something with meaning,” said McGovern. “Whether you give time, blood, or money – please make a generous donation to those in need.”

To access the Holiday Gift Catalog, visit redcross.org/gifts, make a tax-deductible donation online, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Also, there is a constant need for blood and donations are especially appreciated during the holiday season when hectic schedules, travel or inclement weather can affect the demand for blood collection. To make an appointment to give the gift of life by donating blood, or to learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org today.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.