The American Red Cross is launching its first Giving Day on Tuesday, June 2, asking everyone in West Virginia to make a donation to the Red Cross to help ensure that help is available wherever and whenever people need it. “Life can change in one day, leaving someone with nothing - without a home, without their belongings, without hope,” said Erica Mani, chief executive officer for the American Red Cross West Virginia Region. “For so many of these people, the American Red Cross is the answer. We need the public’s support.” Red Cross Giving Day is a 24-hour national fundraising campaign supporting the work of the Red Cross in communities across the country each and every day. The theme of Giving Day is “All In One Day” because the Red Cross is “all in” every day, helping people to get back on their feet. “On June 2, we have 24 hours to turn compassion into action,” said Mani. “On this one day, please donate to the Red Cross so we can be there to help people in need.” Lumos Networks has graciously committed to being the Presenting Sponsor for Giving Day in West Virginia. From now until June 2 individuals and companies can take part in Giving Day and support the work of the American Red Cross by visiting redcross.orglgivingday. All in one day, working together, we can bring help and hope to people when they need it most. Each day in communities across the country and around the world, the Red Cross comforts disaster victims, supplies blood to patients in need, supports members of the military and teaches people lifesaving skills. Nationally, the Red Cross: • Responds nearly 200 times a day to help a family affected by a home fire or other disaster. • Provides nearly 5,600 blood transfusions a day to patients in need. • Gives 15,500 people a day lifesaving health and safety training. • Provides nearly 1,000 services a day to military members, their families and veterans. • With the help of partners, gives 308,000 children a day measles or rubella vaccinations. Here in West Virginia, your support of the American Red Cross Giving Day is a promise of better days ahead for those in our community who have lost everything. Over the last year in West Virginia the Red Cross: • Responded to 1,252 disasters impacting 3,899 individuals including the Fayette County train derailment, severe weather, winter storms and flooding. • Health and Safety instructors taught over 15,000 individuals, making our neighborhoods safer for everyone who lives here. • As part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, our chapter has installed almost 1,000 smoke alarms in homes throughout the state. • West Virginians donated 45,448 units of blood. For more information, visit redcrosswv.org, 304-340-3650 or your local chapter to learn more.
