Hurricane Helene updates and more

Everything that’s happening this October at the American Red Cross. Having trouble viewing this message? [Click Here]( [American Red Cross]( October 2024 [DONATE]( [Crossnotes]( [Red Cross volunteers deliver food after Hurricane Helene strikes Florida]( Late last week, millions along Hurricane Helene’s 500-mile path were left devastated. In the Carolinas, entire communities were submerged by floodwaters and cut off from aid. Damage from downed trees and flooding has left neighborhoods and homes unrecognizable across Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. The American Red Cross has launched a massive response effort throughout the entire region to ensure no one faces this challenging time alone. Our teams and partners are working around the clock to provide safe shelter, meals, emotional support and relief supplies. A disaster of this magnitude requires a team effort, and we’re so grateful for your support. [Fire Prevention Week]( Stay Prepared this Fire Prevention Week [CREATE MY PLAN]( Did you know that home fires are our nation’s most frequent disaster, and that a family has an average of just two minutes to escape one? Oct. 6 marks the start of Fire Prevention Week, and at the American Red Cross, we’re using this moment to ensure that families across the country are educated and prepared. One of the best measures you can take is to create your own home fire escape plan, complete safe routes from each room and an established meeting point outside. [Take a moment to create your family’s fire escape plan and stay safe and prepared in case disaster strikes.]( [State Farm logo]( Thank you to our national Sound the Alarm partner, State Farm®, for their generous support of our Home Fire Campaign. [ Volunteer Judy Hoover and Ruidoso resident Sydnee Shaw share a hug as Shaw relates her wildfire story]( Observing World Mental Health Day [READ MORE]( World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness and mobile support for mental wellness. At the American Red Cross, supporting the mental well-being of the people we serve is a top priority. If you or a loved one has recently experienced a disaster, you are not alone. The internal toll on individuals during a crisis is not always apparent. Everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process. [Read tips here to help you emotionally recover.]( [Red Cross volunteers pose in front of an emergency response vehicle]( What is the Essence of Life? To Serve Others and Do Good [JOIN TODAY]( Those are wise words from the Greek philosopher Aristotle and they ring as true today as they did over two centuries ago. And what better place to serve others than through your local Red Cross region? With volunteers gifting their time greeting donors at a blood drive to responding to home fires and everything in between, we have a role perfect for you. What’s holding you back from experiencing all that life has to offer? [Take a few minutes and explore open opportunities in your community and join our team today!]( [Give blood and get a $10 Amazon.com gift card]( Celebrate Spooky Season with a Chance to Win BIG! [SCHEDULE NOW]( We’ve got treats for you this October: Come to give blood Oct. 1-31 to get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card** by email* and be automatically entered to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.^^Think of all the spooktacular ways you could use these gifts! [Schedule now.]( [Rescue Royale Gamers vs Disasters]( Join the Battle Against Disasters [GAME ON]( Gamers, grab your controllers, keyboards and headsets and level up this October by joining our Gamers vs. Disasters campaign to raise funds for American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Whether you’re facing fierce in-game challenges or teaming up with friends, you’ll be supporting those impacted by disasters big and small across the country. Earn an exclusive Rescue Royale Gamers vs. Disasters baseball hat when you raise $25 or more. While supplies last. Play, stream, and make a difference! [Start your fundraiser today.]( [Tiffany Circle video]( Tiffany Circle: A Community of Women Leaders [WATCH NOW]( The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission through focused investments of time, talent and treasure. Standing at nearly 1,300 women strong and over $230 million invested in the mission since its founding in 2007, this extraordinary network engages and embraces all women locally, nationally and internationally. [Watch this inspiring new video,]( which spotlights the dynamic growth and extraordinary impact of the Tiffany Circle in support of the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross. [Learn more and join us today at tiffanycircle.org.](tiffanycircle.org) [Receive a free Red Cross tote bag with a monthly donation]( Become a Red Cross Champion with a Monthly Donation [GIVE MONTHLY]( “I give to the Red Cross monthly because they provide vital help and services to people in need. We live in a world where tragedies and disasters do occur and people’s lives are impacted. I am honored to have the opportunity to be able to help the Red Cross do what they do to deliver relief and be there for those in need.”  — Stephen D., Red Cross Champion We are so thankful for our community of supporters! [You can become a Red Cross Champion today by starting a monthly gift and as a thank you we will send you a FREE Red Cross tote bag.]( [KIA, Movement that inspires] Lowe’s Round Up for Charity & Support Disaster Relief Thank you, Lowe’s! Customers can support Red Cross through November 3 by rounding up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout in Lowe’s stores to help people affected by disasters big and small. [Additional information is available here.]( [Walmart] Walmart, Sam’s Clubs Stores Collect Customer Donations Thank you Walmart and Sam’s Clubs nationwide for encouraging customers to donate to the Red Cross in-store and online. Walmart will be matching those donations up to $2.5M! Funds will benefit Red Cross disaster response to Hurricanes and Tropical Storms 2024. [Learn more and donate today.]( [Red Cross Apps]( Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! [Download our FREE mobile apps]( today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on [App Store®]( or [Google Play™](. [Apple Store]( [Google Play]( Get more of the latest Red Cross news - [Red Cross Responds to Hurricane Helene with Massive Relief Effort]( - [Disaster Health Services Volunteer Saves a Life in a Red Cross Shelter]( - [Wildfire, Hurricane Survivors Tell Their Stories]( [Cliff Holtz, American Red Cross President and CEO] As I write this, I am on the ground in North Carolina, where I have had the opportunity to thank our American Red Cross teams responding to Hurricane Helene and visit with people receiving our services. The scale of destruction that I’ve witnessed is heartbreaking, but I am inspired by the resilience and compassion displayed by so many. Tragically, Helene’s catastrophic damage spans hundreds of miles and has uprooted lives and communities forever. The Red Cross has launched a massive response to get help to those in need, and I wanted to share an update on our relief efforts: - More than 1,300 Red Cross disaster responders, alongside our partners, are working around the clock to get help to those in need. - Since last week, nearly 26,000 overnight shelter stays have been provided by the Red Cross and other community organizations. This includes more than 65 shelters that were open overnight, providing safe refuge to more than 2,500 individuals. - In some of the hardest-hit areas that are accessible, nearly 100 Red Cross emergency response vehicles have distributed meals, water and critical relief supplies. - We’ve also helped provide more than 132,000 meals and snacks to people in need. The Red Cross will remain with impacted individuals and families throughout the recovery process — from providing immediate needs like safe shelter and food, to longer-term support like financial assistance as they rebuild their homes. But that’s only possible with the help of generous supporters like you. If you are able, will you please consider making a donation today to help deliver lifesaving relief, care and compassion to families across the Southeastern United States impacted by Hurricane Helene? You can make your donation [right here](. Thank you, [Gail McGovern] Cliff Holtz President and CEO American Red Cross [Subscribe]( | [Contact Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Staying in touch via the American Red Cross email list is the best way we have of keeping in regular contact with supporters like you, letting you know about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from disasters and other emergencies, and how you can support our life-saving work. [Click here]( to unsubscribe from our list, but please know that if you leave, it will be harder for you to stay involved with the Red Cross and continue the work of which you’ve been such a critical part. It is only because of supporters like you that the Red Cross is able to respond when a disaster strikes or a home is impacted by fire, when someone needs CPR or a lifesaving blood transfusion, or when a family needs to contact a deployed service member in an emergency. And we don’t want to lose you! Thanks for your support! **Restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal. *Presenting donors who receive this offer and present to donate during the applicable promotional time frame are eligible to receive the above described e-gift card(s). This offer is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. Limit one (1) per presenting donor unless otherwise indicated. If a presenting donor qualifies for multiple offers, the donor will only receive the higher offer unless otherwise indicated. Instructions on how to redeem the gift card will be emailed to the address listed on the presenting donor’s American Red Cross donor profile approximately thirty (30) days after attempted donation(s). All gift cards are subject to individual merchant terms and conditions, and all trademarks are property of their respective owners. Merchants and offers are subject to change. No substitutions by presenting donors. American Red Cross is not responsible for lost, damaged, corrupted or stolen gift cards and may replace any such cards at its sole discretion. Any questions or problems in connection with redeeming gift cards must be directed to the merchant. ^^NO PURCHASE OR DONATION NECESSARY. Void where prohibited and outside 50 US and DC. Open to legal residents of the 50 US/DC, age 18+ (19+ in NE and AL; 21+ in MS) at entry. Begins 12:00 AM ET on 10/01/2024; ends 11:59 PM ET on 10/31/2024. To enter, either present to donate blood at an American Red Cross blood donation facility or send an email to customercare@redcross.org and include the Giveaway name, "American Red Cross 2024 October $5K Prepaid Card Prize Giveaway.” Limit of five (5) total Entries permitted per Entrant, regardless of method of entry. Three (3) winners will each receive one (1) $5,000 Visa® Prepaid Card. Total ARV of all prizes: $15,000. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Full rules: [click here](. 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