Fires, Floods, Earthquakes and Tsunamis?

Red Cross Local, National and International Outreach

TINTON FALLS, NJ, March 15, 2011 – Fires, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis? Friday, March 11, 2011 was a busy day at the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross as Mother Nature unleashed her wrath. On Friday morning, the Red Cross was on the scene in Ocean Grove responding to the fire, keeping in touch with all NJ chapters for the severe flooding up north and reacting to the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan and impacted the west coast. This is just a day in the life at the local American Red Cross which holds a strong presence down the street, across the country and around the world.

Down the street, a team of eight trained disaster volunteers and staff worked with individuals and families displaced from a vicious fire in Ocean Grove on Friday morning. Red Cross disaster relief and assistance was given to a total of 15 people, including assistance for food, clothing, shelter and other necessities. One Red Cross volunteer commented, “The people affected by the fire in Ocean Grove were just getting over the one that happened a year ago, almost to the date.” Red Cross was there one year ago, and there last Friday providing compassionate relief and assistance to the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Across the country and in our state, the floods in northern NJ have been affecting the lives of hundreds of people, creating a need for a Red Cross response for sheltering and feeding. The Jersey Coast region is supporting the Red Cross of northern NJ by providing several volunteers to help with the response efforts.

Around the world, the American Red Cross is also working with the Japanese Red Cross to assess their needs and see how we can help them in their time of disaster. Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

“March is Red Cross Month and it is so important to share our message with the communities that we serve and educate the public about our mission,” said Tara Kelly, Regional CEO of the Jersey Coast Chapter. “When people join the Red Cross by volunteering, donating blood, taking a course or making a contribution, they enable us to continue our work, both here at home, and around the world,” Kelly said.

To donate or volunteer for the Jersey Coast Chapter so that we can continue to provide assistance down the street, across the country and around the world, please call 732-493-9100 or visit jerseycoast-redcross.org.