Is it ironic that while the American Red Cross has been observing March as its month, so many disaster victims in Mississippi have been receiving Red Cross assistance?
There is no other agency that mobilizes over the full spectrum of natural and manmade disasters to provide immediate disaster relief for victims — food, clothing and shelter. This year alone and in north Mississippi alone the Red Cross has responded to weather events from tornadoes to flooding. Outside our state during March they have helped victims cope with flooding, fires and blizzards in Louisiana, Texas, Kansas and Colorado.
 The Red Cross also provides immediate assistance to people whose homes are damaged or destroyed by fire. In Panola County we mobilize quickly to provide direct assistance to victims of fire or other tragedy. We frequently gather donations of money, food and clothing, but a Red Cross volunteer is there every time someone’s home is rendered uninhabitable by fire, coordinating with fire officials to make sure that a burned out family has a place to stay that night plus money for meals and clothing.
The Red Cross has proven a good steward of the money it receives in donations. Ninety-one cents of each $1 donated goes to humanitarian services and programs. Much of the money is spent on disaster assistance, but the broad range of services provided by the American Red Cross also includes health and safety training and education that includes disaster preparedness— after all, it’s far more cost effective to provide assistance that helps to minimize loss of life and injury. Military families call on the Red Cross for communications assistance during family emergencies. The Red Cross collects blood from donors and distributes it during emergencies. The organization also provides assistance during international emergencies.
Donations can be made in the traditional manner through the mail to American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.
It’s easy to donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
Visit www.redcross.org online and you can donate and learn more about the work of the American Red Cross.
You can be sure that after the flurry of extreme weather, flooding and other disasters, your donation is badly needed. You can also be sure that it will be well spent.