The Power of Local Donations
Written by Davin Robertson, Canadian Red Cross volunteer
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Bill Haring, relief and response coordinator with the Canadian Red Cross, along with 10 volunteers, travelled to Louisiana in August to assist in the recovery efforts after the storm, including providing food, water and shelter to people in need.
"It was pretty incredible," says Bill. "It doesn’t really matter where you’re from with the Red Cross, we’re all kind of the same. We all work on the same concepts and fundamental principles. You get there and you’re among friends right away, working towards a common goal of helping those people most affected."
The ability of the Canadian Red Cross to respond to disaster both here at home and abroad is made possible through local donations. Local donations ensure that Red Cross volunteers have the necessary equipment and training to provide immediate and appropriate assistance during emergencies.
When fires swept across Northern Alberta in 2011 and when flooding hit the city of Medicine Hat and Cypress County in 2010, Canadian Red Cross volunteers responded immediately.
Responses to localized disasters enable our volunteers to gain knowledge and expertise that can be used to assist in recovery efforts for large-scale disasters abroad, including the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Isaac and, most recently, Hurricane Sandy.
When people are affected by disasters, whether here in Alberta, in the United States, or halfway around the world, Canadian Red Cross volunteers are prepared to help. Local donations make that possible.
For more information on how your donations are helping the Canadian Red Cross respond to disasters near and abroad, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.redcross.ca/donate
