Superstorm Sandy - What a Birthday Present!

Red Cross Health Services volunteer, Cathy Stevens, chats with Marilyn during her stay at the Red Cross shelter during Superstorm Sandy.

Marilyn was scared as the winds howled in her Worcester neighborhood.  She was afraid of losing power  so she called the bus company to bring her to the nearest Red Cross Shelter. Marilyn had stayed in a shelter during an ice storm a few years ago and knew that she would be safe there.  ” The Red Cross volunteers are wonderful. The food is always so good.  I know they will take good care of me,” shared Marilyn. “Tonight has certainly been a memorable 85th Birthday! Thank goodness for the Red Cross”.

We’re so glad we were there for Marilyn and others who evacuated their homes during the storm. Just as we were there for our communities, Red Cross chapters in nine states are currently providing a warm place to stay, meals and emotional support to over 9,000 people in response to Sandy.

If you are concerned about the safety of loved ones in parts of the country that suffered the most destruction, please visit our Safe and Well website to see if they registered themselves as safe and well.

Many people are wondering how they can help. There are a couple of ways you can get involved. You can  make a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to support communities as they rebuild from devastation caused by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. Many families will return home in the next few days only to find their homes completely uninhabitable. They’ll need supplies to clean up their homes, a place to sleep at night while their roofs and windows are repaired, and food and water to keep them going until power is restored to their neighborhoods. They’ll need you. Recovery takes time – and it takes commitment, not only from those affected by disaster, but also from those who are willing to give it their all and help.

You can also give blood. Superstorm Sandy has forced the cancellation of more than 325 American Red Cross blood drives in 13 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 11,000 units of blood and platelets thus far. The Red Cross is urging blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that community members consider donating blood in affected areas once it’s safe to do so.

To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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