Back St. Louis, Saturday, September 3, 2005 – The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, among the organization’s largest 15 chapters in the United States, is part of the Red Cross network mobilizing to meet the needs of Hurricane Katrina’s victims. The dedicated staff and volunteers of the St. Louis Area Chapter expect to meet over the holiday weekend with approximately 180 families who have made their way to the St. Louis area from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. “It is a busy weekend for us, but we are glad to be able to help so many people who have been devastated by this historic tragedy,” said Louis T. Maull IV, chairman of the local chapter’s board of directors. “We want St. Louis area residents to know that although they have already given much, their donations are still needed. The needs are beyond belief,” he said. From Wednesday through late Friday, approximately 100 Red Cross caseworkers and emergency services volunteers from the St. Louis Area Chapter had met with 137 displaced families, totaling 339 people, from areas struck by the hurricane. Services include financial assistance for food, clothing, hygiene products, and mental health counseling. In St. Louis, caseworkers say some of the families consist of just a few people, while others are large groups of extended relatives who made it out of the affected areas together. For example, one family consisted of 25 people. Nearly all are staying with relatives or other people they know. “We do not know how many more evacuees will come to St. Louis, but we do expect more,” Maull said. “We are working with the State Emergency Management Agency and other partner organizations to coordinate state and city relief efforts. But we want everyone to know, above all, that regardless of how many people turn to St. Louis for help, the American Red Cross will be ready,” he said. In addition, 27 volunteers from the St. Louis Area Chapter have been sent to affected areas to set up and manage shelters, and help distribute food and water. Seventy additional volunteers, also trained, are now standing by in case they’re needed, too.  The American Red Cross is currently sheltering 93,000 evacuees in 275 shelters in eight states, serving hot food and clean water, offering emergency financial assistance, and mental health counseling. To make a secure, online donation in support of the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief effort, log on to www.redcrossstl.org, or call 1-800-984-8979. About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter: Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency and preparedness assistance more than 397,000 times each year. The Red Cross depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and 140 staff to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, adult daytime professional care, services to military personnel, assistance to homeless families, and support for blood services. The Chapter 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. # # #

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