|
Fresno, CA
, February 19, 2010 – The
Central Valley
has once again demonstrated its generosity with the out-pouring of support for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. Local businesses, schools, churches, clubs and organizations have joined in the effort.
More than 600 Red Cross and Red Crescent workers from around the world, including 100 from the American Red Cross, are in
Haiti
distributing food and water, and providing shelter and basic medical aid.
The humanitarian aid pipeline is opening wider and wider and logistical problems are getting smaller and smaller, but the needs in
Haiti
are still immense. Temporary shelter and food continue to be the top priorities for the people of Haiti. Meanwhile, the Red Cross, in coordination with other responding organizations, are also assessing and working on developing a strategy to create long-term recovery projects. Reconstruction and recovery in Haiti will take years. The ongoing support the public has provided allows the Red Cross to focus on their efforts to meet the short-term and long-term needs of the people of Haiti.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported our efforts in Haiti,” said Jerry DeFrancisco, President, American Red Cross Humanitarian Services. “The American Red Cross has been working in Haiti with our fellow Red Cross/Red Crescent national societies from around the globe. This generosity allows the Red Cross to not only offer Haiti immediate relief, but to also take part in planning to help the people of Haiti recover and rebuild in the coming years.”
As a result of the generosity of donors, people in Haiti will receive more than immediate relief; they will receive resources, support and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild in the years ahead.
The Red Cross recognizes Central Valley Schools that have made donations to the Haiti Relief Fund and those currently holding fundraising events. (In alphabetical order):
Addams Elementary
Atwater High
Buchanan High
Mrs. Janice Marshall’s 4th Grade Class at Bullard Talent Intermediate
Castle Rock Elementary
Chenoweth Elementary
Cinnamon Elementary
Conyer Elementary
Cypress Elementary
Stowell Parent Teacher Club of Don Stowell Elementary
Elbow Creek Elementary
Elim Elementary
Exeter Union High
Fairview Elementary
Farmersville Elementary
Associated Student Government at Fresno City College
USU Productions at University of California, Fresno
Frontier Elementary
Green Acres Junior High
Hamilton Elementary
Hanford West High
Hilmar Unified School District
Jefferson Elementary School (Sanger)
Kerman High School
La Sierra Academy
Levinworth School
Livingston Elementary District
Manchester Gate
Manuel F. Hernandez Elementary
Mathew J. Brietic School
McLane High
Meadow Lane Elementary
Merced Adult Education
Merced City School District
Latin Cultural Clubs at University of California, Merced
Mrs. McNally’s 4th grade & Mr. Cotta’s, Mr. McDonough’s, and Mr. Echol’s 5th grade classes at Miano Elementary
Pinedale Elementary
Pinkham Elementary
Reagan Elementary (Kingsburg)
Reagan Elementary (Sanger)
Red Bank Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary (Selma)
Roosevelt Elementary (Tulare)
St. Paul’s School
Tarra Bella School
Mrs. Galindo’s 3rd Grade Class at Washington Elementary (Lindsay)
Yokomi Elementary
The Red Cross recognizes local businesses who’ve shown their support for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. (In alphabetical order):
AGI Publishing, Inc. dba Valley Yellow Pages
Cal-Fresno Oil Company
Cambodian Reconciliation Committee
Central Valley Blues Society
D4D Music
DBA M. G. Paving Co./Way-Mar Construction Co., Inc.
Educational Employees Credit Union
Fresno Co. Juvenile Probation – Juvenile Justice Campus
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
Fugazzis
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Benevolent Fund
Grundfos Pump Manufacturing Corp.
Home Fabrics & Rugs
Machado Farms, L.P.
Mount Zion Assemblies
New Stars Vegitarian Restaurant
North India Bar and Grill
Passion’s Boutique
Rio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
Sequoia Chevrolet
Sierra Vista Mall
The Standard
Thiele Technologies, Inc.
Vincent Communications
Western Building Materials
Women Empowering Women Ministries
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at all three American Red Cross Central Valley locations;
Fresno Office
2002 N. Fine Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
559-455-1000
Visalia Branch Office
501 W. Main Street
Visalia, CA 93921
559-732-6436
Merced Branch Office
301 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
209-383-2150
at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org, our local website www.ARCcentralvalley.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
|
