To our most valued partners:

At this writing Hurricane Gustav is making landfall in southern Louisiana through many of the same communities and cities who faced Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma just three years ago.

In the past four days, the American Red Cross has spent $12 million moving supplies and volunteers to the Gulf Coast. Across the region, the American Red Cross is currently operating 490 shelters with upwards of 3,100 Red Cross volunteers meeting the needs of more than 165,000 evacuees from four states.

At nightfall last night, 530 people were currently registered in local area shelters managed by the Red Cross, with 400 of those at the Dallas Convention Center.

During this emergency evacuation phase, we are making sure that families have a safe shelter, a place to sleep, nutritious meals and comfort items. Additionally, we have disaster Mental Health volunteers on hand who can help evacuees deal with the emotional stresses caused by Hurricane Gustav.

I just stopped by a mass care orientation session. About 75 volunteers are right now getting their final instructions before heading out to relieve the current shift.

Without a doubt, at this point our greatest need is funding to carry on the relief effort into the week. As you know, our funding comes entirely through charitable giving—people and companies—who share in our mission to assist families in times of disaster.

While our local volunteers and staff are working in concert with the national Red Cross in responding to Hurricane Gustav, we continue to serve our community needs including the 3 or 4 house or apartment fires that will occur today, and tomorrow, and every day. In addition, we continue to build our chapter’s capacity to manage a local major catastrophe like the one impacting New Orleans right now.

To assist us in our efforts, I ask that you consider making a donation of $100 or more to the American Red Cross. Your support ensures that the Red Cross can respond immediately to meet the needs of people affected by Hurricane Gustav and so many other disasters.

Please know that we can use financial contributions right now to effectively build on our current relief efforts. Please go to http://www.redcrossdallas.org/ to contribute. Also, our website is the best place for the latest information on Hurricane Gustav, and the preparations underway for Hurricane Hanna.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Kind regards,

President and CEO
American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter