×

Cash donations help speed recovery

Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Hurricane Helene. Communities destroyed. Hundreds still missing.

I called the American Red Cross to find out how our local community, individuals and schools can help the victims of Hurricane Helene. While I had visions of drop-off points and semis being filled with bottled water, toiletries and clothes, the Red Cross explained the most effective ways to get help to those in need.

Natalie Doller, events specialist for the American Red Cross of Western New York, provided many options.

“Thousands of people are dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Helene and hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers are with them providing comfort, support and relief,” Doller said. “This is a very large and developing situation. We are still waiting for roads to open to get into those harder hit areas.”

“Donating money, instead of supplies, helps the Red Cross to be as agile as possible and meet the needs of those affected as quickly as possible,” Doller said. “With monetary donations, we don’t have to work out the logistics of getting materials from point A to B.”

“Dollars donated to the Red Cross’s Hurricane Relief allow the Red Cross to provide overnight shelter, meals, snacks and emergency relief supplies to those affected,” she said. “The website to donate is RedCross.org/donate.”

Once at the site, Doller said, donors can go to the “I want to support” section and choose where they want their donations to go. She said that those not able to make a financial donation can always volunteer by visiting RedCross.org/volunteer or by finding nearby blood drives at RedCross.org/give-blood.

Please consider donating to the American Red Cross to help communities in desperate need.

To donate money: RedCross.org/donate

To volunteer: RedCross.org/volunteer

To donate blood: RedCross.org/give-blood

Catherine D’Agostino has been teaching for 32 years in New York state and is a Fredonia resident.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today