 Red Cross Announces Closing of Shelter in Winfield
Red Cross to continue serving meals and providing emergency services at Winfield High School
St. Louis, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - With flood waters beginning to recede and the need for shelter to house people has declined, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is moving into the next phase of operations at Winfield Senior High School by closing the shelter. However, the Red Cross will continue to staff this facility with dozens of volunteers to provide emergency services there on a daily basis between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Anyone needing Red Cross assistance due to the flood can call 314.516.2700.
- SHELTER (CLOSED) - Winfield Senior High School - 3920 East Highway 47 - Winfield, MO
Beginning on July 2, the Red Cross will be serving meals at Winfield Senior High School, seven days a week. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and dinner commences at 5 p.m. In addition, the Red Cross will start distributing clean-up kits there on Thursday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Teams of trained Red Cross disaster relief caseworkers are still meeting with individuals and families affected by the severe flooding to assess damages to their homes and personal belongings. These face-to-face interviews help determine the extent of need, and the amount and type of assistance the Red Cross can provide for them.
Within the past ten weeks, the American Red Cross has responded to a string of 36 large-scale floods, tornadoes and wildfires that have destroyed homes and devastated lives across the country. Some experts are comparing it to the largest combined relief effort undertaken by the Red Cross since Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilma, surpassing the California wildfires of 2007. However, not all of these disasters have brought in significant donations.
Although Red Cross is on the scene providing shelters, hot meals, clean up supplies, counseling and other forms of assistance, the Disaster Relief Fund is empty. Demand is outpacing donations. Even though the situation is critical, disaster clients will see no change or reduction in Red Cross services. The Red Cross pledges to do whatever it takes to provide help to those affected by these disasters, even if it means borrowing the money and re-doubling its fundraising efforts.
The American Red Cross anticipates spending at least $30 million dollars for the recent disasters that have occurred since April. The escalation in cost can be attributed to the fact that more rain has fallen in the Midwest, extending the life of the flood in the some areas and extending the life of Red Cross services. The longer it takes for the water to recede, the more damage it causes to homes.
Major Red Cross fundraising efforts over the past couple of weeks have produced $13 million in cash and pledges. But a lot more money needs to be raised.
How You Can Help:
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the massive Midwest floods and tornadoes, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. To make a contribution in support of disaster relief for this and future events, please call 1.800.RED.CROSS or donate on-line at www.redcrossstl.org.
About Red Cross Emergency Services:
The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies. The Red Cross is able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide a vast array of programs and services throughout the region due to the dedication of thousands of volunteers that give freely of their time.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org. |