"Local Red Cross Volunteers Respond to Hurricane Isabel"

As Hurricane Isabel slams in to the U.S., with damaging winds and torrential rain, the American Red Cross has announced that due to a decrease in financial support and an increase in "silent disasters" it's Disaster Relief Fund is empty.

The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide immediate emergency assistance to the victims of everything from multi-unit apartment fires to severe storms to damaging floodwaters. Disasters strike communities across the nation about 186 times daily - the majority are called "silent" disasters, never making the news. After disaster strikes, the Red Cross relies on donations from the public to mobilize volunteers and resources to help communities throughout the U.S. recover.

Due to the state of the Disaster Relief Fund, Red Cross assistance to disaster victims for the foreseeable future will be focused on meeting immediate basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, essential medication and mental health counseling.

"Since its inception in 1881, the American Red Cross has been guided by the vision of humanitarianism and fueled by financial donations from the public," said Tim Lipan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo Counties. "While the vision continues, the fuel has run out."

Those wishing to help replenish the Disaster Relief Fund can send a contribution to the local Red Cross office at 313 W. Webster Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49440 or call 1-800-HELP NOW or visit www.redcross.org.

Local Red Cross disaster volunteers, Don and Mary Ann Wallace, left early September 18 driving the Muskegon Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to the East Coast. While there, they will join hundreds of other Red Cross volunteers who will serve meals to victims of Hurricane Isabel.

Eight other local disaster volunteers are on standby, waiting for word to respond. They will be sent to those locations hardest hit by the storm. Upon arrival they will provide skills in damage assessment, health services, sheltering and mass feeding.

Even as we concentrate our efforts on shoring up the Disaster Relief Fund and meeting victims needs, we must also include a plea for increase blood donations. The National blood inventory is already dangerously low and with the probability of an interruption in blood collections all along the East Coast, it becomes even more critical that Americans make an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.