Grant supports Red Cross mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies
St. Louis, Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from Monsanto Fund in support of emergency client assistance, disaster preparedness and volunteer outreach. The mission of the Red Cross is to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The important contribution from Monsanto Fund directly supports this lifesaving mission.
"The American Red Cross depends on the generosity of our corporate partners to ensure the local community is ready for a variety of emergency situations and to equip the St. Louis Area Chapter to respond in a time of need," said Joseph C. White, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Louis Area Chapter. "The $50,000 grant from Monsanto Fund will prepare our neighbors for the unexpected through important training, while enabling the Red Cross to provide emergency food, clothing, shelter and other assistance to local victims of disaster. Monsanto is a long-time friend of the American Red Cross and we greatly appreciate their continued support."
About Red Cross Emergency Services:
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. During times of disaster, the Red Cross provides immediate assistance that is free of charge. This includes food, clothing, shelter, mental health counseling and other services.
In 2006, the St. Louis Area Chapter served more than 18,400 meals and snacks to disaster victims while providing support for more than 1,100 local families who lost their homes to fire. By providing funding for direct client assistance, the grant from Monsanto Fund will support the recovery effort of more than 200 local disaster victims.
About Red Cross Community Disaster Education:
Community Disaster Education programs provide training for individuals, families, groups and corporations regarding emergency preparedness, and highlight readiness and response guidelines for specific disasters (fires, tornados, earthquakes, etc.). Last year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trained more than 72,000 people through this curriculum. These free presentations are designed for all ages and can be tailored for schools, businesses or community organizations. The Monsanto Fund grant will fund programmatic literature and expenses for the St. Louis Area Chapter, helping to expand its preparedness outreach throughout the metropolitan area.
About Emergency Services Volunteer Opportunities:
The Red Cross relies on the active participation of community members to achieve its humanitarian mission. The St. Louis Area Chapter is able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide a vast array of programs and services throughout the region due to the dedication of volunteers who give freely of their time. To be ready to respond both locally and nationally, the Red Cross recruits and trains volunteers for disaster relief assignments. Volunteers specialize in a variety of services - from shelter management and client casework to mass feeding and mental health counseling.
Locally, volunteers are part of Disaster Action Teams that respond on the scene of local disasters, including house fires. Disaster Action Teams support emergency personnel and assist clients impacted by the disaster. Volunteer instructors are actively involved in leading Community Disaster Education presentations. Nationally, volunteers remain on standby for deployment in response to large-scale events, including hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. The grant from Monsanto Fund enables the Chapter to focus its volunteer outreach on retention and development through communication vehicles and training opportunities.
For More Information:
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the financial generosity of the St. Louis community. To learn more about Red Cross emergency preparedness and response, volunteer opportunities within the St. Louis Area Chapter, or the $50,000 grant from Monsanto Fund in support of local programs and services, please call 314.516.2800 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.
About Monsanto Company:
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. The company employs approximately 3,000 men and women in the St. Louis area.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, 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. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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