PORTLAND, Maine — In a year when disasters upended the lives of thousands of people, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to “give something that means something” for families in need through its 2018 holiday giving campaign.
“Every day, home fires and other everyday crises turn people’s lives upside down,” said Patricia Murtagh, CEO of the Maine Region of the American Red Cross. “Families are counting on your support to remember them during this special time of year. On Giving Tuesday, please consider making a financial donation or a blood donation, or volunteering your time.”
Beginning on Giving Tuesday — Nov. 27 — donors can #GiveWithMeaning at redcross.org/gift to support people in need with a symbolic gift.
Help disaster victims. A gift of $250 can deliver hot meals for 25 people who need nourishment after a disaster. A donation of $100 can provide a family of two with a full day’s worth of emergency shelter with meals, snacks, blankets, a cot and hygiene supplies. Help provide warmth with a gift of $50, which can provide blankets for 10 people.
Help our veterans. A donation of $125 can help veterans transition back to civilian life by connecting them and their families to critical services such as food, housing, counseling and rehabilitation.
Help internationally. A gift of $100 can help provide lifesaving vaccinations for 100 children who face an increased risk of measles and rubella around the world.
Give the gift of life. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.
Volunteer to help others. To learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org.
Every 8 minutes, someone affected by disaster is helped by donations to the Red Cross. Donors help provide people with necessities like shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
“The need is constant and this year was no different. In Maine, the Red Cross responded to more than 250 home fires. Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and account for the vast majority of our responses,” Maine Red Cross officials said via a press release.
“In addition to helping families recover from these events, we also made 1,087 homes safer with free smoke alarms and fire safety education,” stated the release. “The Red Cross in Maine also served 1,180 military members, veterans and families, collected 52,218 units of blood and taught 20,227 people lifesaving courses like first aid, CPR and AED.”
