Volunteers and employees will reach out on Saturday to their friends, family and neighbors to help raise money for the Campaign for Disaster Relief, which will replenish the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Saturday has been designated a National Day of Giving for the American Red Cross as part of its efforts to reach a $100 million fundraising goal; the campaign was launched in September and so far has raised $64 million.
The national fund was depleted as a result of an extremely busy year for disasters, including a record number of tornadoes, severe flooding in the central United States and an active hurricane and wildfire season, according to a Red Cross news release.
Since January, the Red Cross has responded to more than 70 large-scale disasters.
"No one is immune from a disaster, said Cara Sloman, Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter emergency services director. "Even though Arizona may not get hit by hurricanes or earthquakes, the Grand Canyon Chapter recently responded to monsoon storms, a wildfire in Crown King and the Supai Floods near the Grand Canyon."
"The Disaster Relief Fund is what we rely on to help people when they need it most," Sloman said in a written statement.
Anyone wanting to donate to the Red Cross can call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers. They can also donate on the
Red Cross website.
