Update: Hurricane Sandy has been downgraded to a superstorm
The American Red Cross Club at the University will support Hurricane Sandy disaster relief efforts beginning Friday.
Members of the American Red Cross Club will be collecting monetary donations on the quad beginning Friday and will continue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until next Wednesday, November 7.
In addition to donations, the public can help disaster relief efforts through donating blood. According to a Red Cross press release, Hurricane Sandy has already led to the cancellation of approximately 300 blood drives in affected areas, which equates to a loss of up to 10,500 blood and platelet products.
Vaneitta Goines, director of the Office of Volunteer Programs, also stressed the importance of blood donations following a disaster of this kind. Goines mentioned that often it is not possible to collect blood quickly enough in the areas affected by events such as Hurricane Sandy due to injuries sustained by local residents.
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The Red Cross is asking for financial donations to “help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy,” the press release said. Financial donations can be sent to local chapters of the Red Cross in addition to the American Red Cross.
The Central Illinois chapter based in Peoria and Champaign is also looking to aid in the relief efforts.
“We are getting a few new volunteers that we are training, many of our volunteers are deploying and we are also accepting monetary donations,” said Jamie Davis, emergency services manager.
Davis went on to add that the donations also contribute to jump starting the economy in these devastated areas.
“Cash donations are easier and more financially effective,” said Goines, who explained that Red Cross chapters closer to affected areas are able to provide items that are difficult and expensive to ship, such as non-perishable food items.
As of Tuesday night, the Red Cross had more than 2,300 disaster workers serving meals and nearly 200 emergency response vehicles throughout the communities distributing meals, water and snacks.
To donate visit www.redcross.com, text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or send a donation to your local Red Cross chapter.
