To the editor:
Every day in communities across the country, homes are destroyed due to fire. Families are left to watch helplessly as their homes, their memories, and their belongings go up in flames. That’s when the American Red Cross responds. Volunteers from the Pine Tree Chapter’s Aroostook Office rush to the scene to provide comfort and basic necessities to victims in need. They give them a blanket, a safe place to stay, funds for clothes, food, medications, mental health support and a shoulder to lean on. We are able to do this thanks to the heartfelt generosity of people in our community who support our friends and neighbors in Aroostook County when disaster strikes.
Recently our Red Cross office in Caribou responded to the major fires in Fort Kent and Easton assisting 11 families and over 20 men, women and children during their greatest time of need. While the American Red Cross receives a lot of national attention for our response to large-scale disasters, it is local responses like the ones in Fort Kent and Easton that demonstrate how important our services are to the Aroostook County community.
Within the past eight months of our fiscal year, the Aroostook County Branch office of the Red Cross has assisted nearly 30 families with immediate emergency services costing thousands of dollars.
Most people understand the importance of the services the American Red Cross provides, and how vital it is for us to be there for the people of Aroostook County facing these recent tragedies. That is why we are urging our community members to please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Pine Tree Chapter-American Red Cross in Aroostook County today. This will enable us to continue to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to not only the victims of the disasters in Fort Kent and Easton, but all of the victims who suffer from devastating home fires in Aroostook County. Any donation is deeply appreciated and will greatly help those affected.
Donations can be made by check made payable to American Red Cross-Disaster Fund and mailed to American Red Cross, 7 Hatch Drive, Suite 250, Caribou, ME 04736 or by credit card by calling 493-4620, ext. 108 or stop by our office in Caribou.
All American Red Cross disaster relief is free to victims, made possible by voluntary donations like yours of time and money. For us to continue providing assistance, we need your help. We can’t do this without you!
Thank you in advance for your consideration of a much-needed donation. Your gift will enable us to continue providing the critical and unparalleled services that all Americans depend on in times of crisis.
Joyce Knorr
Aroostook County
Branch Manager
American Red Cross
Pine Tree Chapter
