Crossnotes News:

Right now, wildfires are raging across California, Nevada and Oregon. The largest — known as “The Line Fire” — spans over 37,000 acres. As the hot weather continues, thousands of families are being forced to flee their homes, and many know they won’t be able to return.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana earlier this week, bringing with it heavy rainfall, storm surge, damaging winds and the possibility of tornadoes. In the coming days, more families across Louisiana and the Gulf coast will find themselves in its path of devastation.

The American Red Cross is actively responding, offering shelter, relief and compassion to those impacted by these disasters. But as they continue to develop, we’re counting on your help to power our work forward:

Will you please give now to help us reach families impacted by wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters with the support they need?

RUSH A DONATION

Are you Prepared?

Take the Quiz

If you found out that a tornado was hurtling toward your home, do you know how you’d respond? What about a flood? A hurricane?

September is National Preparedness Month, a time to consider all the “what-ifs” so we can keep ourselves and our families safe. At the American Red Cross, that means keeping our warehouses stocked and our relief workers trained — but it also means ensuring that every family knows what to do in the event of a disaster.

Take our National Preparedness Month Quiz to test your preparedness level for many of the types of disasters you might face. Whether you’re a preparedness expert or a novice, it’s a great way to ensure you’re ready for whatever may come!

Download the Red Cross Emergency App

Get The App

Stay safe during emergencies with expert tips and useful tools. The FREE Emergency app is simple to use and lets you customize 40 different weather alerts with fast notifications. It provides step-by-step guides to help you prepare and you can easily find open Red Cross shelters with an interactive map. To make sure you’re ready for the unexpected this National Preparedness Month, download the free Red Cross Emergency app today or text GETEMERGENCY to 90999.

Fall Into Donating

SCHEDULE NOW

Fall back into the habit of donating blood! Come to give blood Sept. 16-30 and you’ll get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice as a thank you.* Use it for a little extra treat, on us!

Your one donation can help patients enjoy more bonfires, hayrides and nights cheering from the football stands. Can they count on you?

Drive to Save Lives

JOIN TODAY

Imagine being the lifeline that bridges the gap between blood donors and those in desperate need. As a volunteer driver, you become a hero on wheels, delivering not just blood, but hope and life itself. Our user-friendly mobile app empowers you to seamlessly schedule shifts at specific times or on-demand, and make deliveries ensuring that blood, platelets and other critical supplies get to hospitals swiftly. Every trip you make saves lives. Join us today and be a vital part of our life-saving mission as a volunteer Transportation Specialist, making an impact one delivery at a time.

Donate a Vehicle to the Red Cross Today!

LEARN MORE

Your old vehicle has something left to give. By donating it to the Red Cross, you can help power our lifesaving mission. Every day, people face emergencies of all sizes — from prolonged and life-threatening blood shortages, to more frequent and intense disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, to the unique challenges faced by military families, to a person in need of lifesaving CPR provided by a trained bystander.

Donating your vehicle — in almost any condition — is one great way to help us help others in your community. Watch this short video to learn more about our Vehicle Donation Program.

Become a Red Cross Champion with a Monthly Donation

GIVE MONTHLY

“I give to the Red Cross monthly because they provide vital help and services to people in need. We live in a world where tragedies and disasters do occur and people’s lives are impacted. I am honored to have the opportunity to be able to help the Red Cross do what they do to deliver relief and be there for those in need.” – Stephen D., Red Cross Champion

We are so thankful for our community of supporters! You can become a Red Cross Champion today by starting a monthly gift and as a thank you we will send you a FREE Red Cross tote bag.

Why I Give?

When Tragedy Strikes Twice

READ MORE

Clara Rice first lost her home when tornadoes hit western Kentucky in 2021. “I put my grandbabies in a bathtub and placed blankets and pillows down to cushion it. The bathtub went flying. It was laying upside down, protecting both boys. Neither one was wet nor injured,” said Clara. “The American Red Cross was one of the first on the scene at my place. They were helping me clean up, helping with gift cards, food, anything they had to offer.”

Three years later, Clara had to relive that tremendous loss when powerful tornadoes hit her community in late May of this year, and she lost her home again. Thanks to a Red Cross long-term recovery program, this time she and her family were able to ride out the tornadoes in a storm shelter instead of a bathtub. Read more about her story here.

September is National Preparedness Month

Big 5 Sporting Goods is encouraging people to prepare for emergencies and disasters in their homes and communities. This September during National Preparedness Month, customers who donate at the register to support Red Cross Disaster Relief will receive a custom sticker!

Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! Download our FREE mobile apps today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on App Store® or Google Play™

Get more of the latest Red Cross news

• Red Cross Responding to Hurricane Francine and California Wildfires
• Blood Donations Critical as New Sickle Cell Treatments Bring Hope
• On Deployment in Brazil: Supporting Families Affected by Floods

Francine made landfall in Louisiana earlier this week as a dangerous Category 2 hurricane bringing widespread flooding, downed trees and power outages for hundreds of thousands of people. In advance of the storm’s landfall, the American Red Cross mobilized trained workers, emergency response vehicles and thousands of relief supplies and ready-to-eat meals to be prepared to help.

As I write this, Red Cross disaster teams are on the ground across the Gulf Coast, working with local officials and partners to provide a safe haven for people impacted by Francine. But we are yet to understand the full impact of this disaster, and there is a great deal of work ahead of us.

That’s why I’m humbly asking for your help. If you’re able, please consider giving to help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small. With your support, we can reach families with the relief they need today, and in the weeks and months ahead.

My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by Francine. Please know the Red Cross will continue to work in close collaboration with government officials and community partners to provide comfort, relief and hope to people in the storm’s path.

-- Cliff Holtz
President and CEO
American Red Cross

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