The Red Cross Needs Your Help Now

The response to Sandy is very large and very costly and the Red Cross needs your help now. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support, and other assistance to those affected. To donate visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the work REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be delivered to your local Red Cross chapter office at 115 Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines NC 28387 or mailed to PO Box 407, Southern Pines NC 28388. Thank you in advance!

The American Red Cross Responds to Sandy

Nov. 1, 2012 - We are doing everything possible to get help quickly to those affected. The American Red Cross is in communities right now providing aid and comfort to people affected by Supertorm Sandy and we've been there since before the storm made landfall.

Shelters are open in nine states and our focus today is ramping up a massive feeding operation to get hot meals to residents in places like Long Island, Manhattan, Staten Island, and New Jersey. More that 7,000 people spent Wednesday night in 115 Red Cross shelters spanning nine states including New Jersey, New York, Pannsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Ohio, and the District of Colunbia. The Red Cross has deployed 12 mobile kitchens capable of making 198,000 meals a day and shipped more than 334,000 shelf stable meals to the area; activated more than 230 response vehicles, more than two-thirds the entire Red Cross fleet, which are beginnning to distribute meals, water, and snacks in some areas; mobilized more thatn 3,300 disaster workers from all over the country (including from Moore County and all throughout the Triangle Region).

We have more help on the way. As roads and airports re-open and people are able to travel again, more workers, vehicles, and relief supplies will be arriving. We are working hard to get help where it is needed, but access into many areas is still difficult. We will expand our reach into more communities as soon as officials say that it is safe.

Holiday Catalog Offers Symbolic Gifts to Help Those Who Need It Most

As the holidays grow closer, the nation's malls get busier and online stores pick up traffic, the American Red Cross is urging people to think about those in need this holiday season. As part of the 2012 American Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign to help support the Red Cross mission, the organization is asking people to give something that means something through symbolic charitable gifts.

"Every year we struggle with what new 'stuff' to buy our loved ones," said Cynthia Bradley, Executive Director, Moore County Chapter. "Instead of adding to their 'stuff,' honor them with a donation to the Red Cross. Spread hope this season through gifts of food, shelter and comfort for those in need."

By visiting www.redcross.org/gifts, shoppers can browse symbolic gifts in a range of categories and prices to find gifts to suit the people on their shopping list. Popular items include:

Moore and Richmond County Red Cross Encourages Public to Send Holiday Greetings to America's Heroes

The American Red Cross is encouraging people to send messages of gratitide and holiday cheer to our nation's heroes and their families.  Cards of thanks and support to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families should be mailed between October 1 and December 7 to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capital Heights, MD 20791-5456

Pitney Bowes receives cards at the special Holiday Mail post office box, screens them for hazardous materials, packages and ships the cards at no charge to Red Cross chapters across the United Sates. Red Cross volunteers then sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season. More information and card requirements are at www.redcross.org/holidaymail.