MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Giving Tuesday is a one-day opportunity to support urgent humanitarian needs addressed by the American Red Cross, and this year, it’s more important than ever.
Red Cross Allegheny Highlands Chapter Executive Director Jason Keeling, said nationally, storms, wildfires, and flooding have resulted in record nationwide damage estimated at $25 billion.
“The American Red Cross serves the public in multiple ways,” Keeling said. “Whether that’s responding to disasters, helping to collect lifesaving blood, or serving active duty and retired veterans,”
Keeling said 90 percent of all donations go to the efforts of local chapters on the ground to ease the pain caused by the disaster.
“Ninety cents of every dollar actually goes to support the services clients receive,” Keeling said. “Otherwise, the rest is used for administrative purposes.”
Red Cross workers and volunteers respond to thousands of calls for help each year, and many of those are not planned. Keeling said the call could range from a place to stay due to a fire to reaching a member of the military from a far-away station because of a family emergency.
“So far this year, we’ve assisted nearly 1,100 families impacted by disaster—that’s primarily home fires,” Keeling said. “We’ve installed more than 4,000 free smoke alarms, and we’ve provided over 2,000 services to local military members and veterans.”
A one-time or continuing donation can be made online, by check, or a $10 donation can be made by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Keeling said donating your time or even becoming a regular blood donor are all good ways to help.
“Whether that be financial or donating blood, those are both great options to support the organization,” Keeling said.