Ten Western and Central New York volunteers supporting national relief operations
Will spend Thanksgiving working amid California wildfires, Saipan typhoon response
Ten American Red Cross volunteers from the Western and Central New York Region are supporting relief efforts following devastating wildfires in California and Typhoon Yutu in Saipan:
- Joyce Alexander of Rochester (Recovery – California)
- Peter Bonaccorso of Fairport (Sheltering – California)
- Lisa Cass of Kirkwood (Recovery – California)
- Donna Davis of Burdett (Government Operations – California)
- Frank Davis of Burdett (Operations Management – California)
- Jeanne Frey of Binghamton (Recovery – California)
- Richard McCorry of Henrietta (Disaster Spiritual Care – California)
- Robert Barton of Savannah (Disaster Assessment – Saipan)
- Peggy McGee-Smith of Kenmore (Disaster Mental Health – Saipan)
- Diane Sargent of Lockport (Disaster Assessment – Saipan)
The deadly wildfires in California have been burning for nearly two weeks, destroying everything in their path. More than 1,350 Red Cross disaster workers have answered the call to help over the past 12 days, and 740 are still on the ground helping support people affected by the wildfires. Monday night, more than 950 people stayed in 13 Red Cross and community shelters across California. Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 66,600 meals, distributed more than 16,700 relief items for people forced from their homes, and volunteer mental health, health services, and spiritual care volunteers have made more than 19,900 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees. People are also relying on Red Cross reunification services, including use of the Safe and Well website. There all almost 9,000 Safe and Well registrations for the wildfires, more than 82,900 searches, and more than 2,000 matches through Safe and Well.
Super Typhoon Yutu crashed into the Mariana Islands October 24 with sustained winds of 174 MPH, leaving massive destruction in its wake. More than 170 Red Cross disaster workers are helping support people affected. More than 15,700 overnight stays at community shelters have been provided to people in need. Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 98,300 meals and snacks, distributed more than 50,500 relief items, and volunteer mental health and health services professionals have made some 3,000 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by disasters like wildfires and typhoons by visiting redcross.org, calling 1.800.RED.CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.