American Red Cross in Maine

To the editor:
    Mainers, America needs your help. A record-breaking spring storm season has decimated entire towns and devastated countless lives. The American Red Cross has launched 29 separate relief operations in 22 states since March 31. Wildfires in Texas, flooding along swollen rivers and the seemingly constant rash of angry tornadoes have led to the deployment of over 9,100 American Red Cross volunteers from all 50 states – including over 20 volunteers and counting from Maine – to help those in need.
    Whether it is the tsunami in Japan or the earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross aids anyone around the world who needs it. The devastation brought by the most recent spring storms has occurred right in our backyard and the response will cost the American Red Cross an estimated $41 million.
    As we know, Mainers are not immune to disaster. Floods in Ft. Kent, tornadoes and ice storms across the state, and fires on a daily basis have impacted the lives of countless Mainers, and you continue to demonstrate your willingness to help a neighbor in need. Our neighbors need your helping hand once again.
    Since the beginning of April, the American Red Cross has served more than 2.1 million meals and snacks, and distributed over 1.1 million items like tarps and work gloves to help people in need as a result of the spring storms. There is more to be done.
    Mainers, America needs you now. Please support disaster relief and your American Red Cross. To learn more, go to www.maineredcross.org or call (207) 941-2903.
Dave Thompson
CEO, Maine Red Cross