St. Louis, Friday, September 5, 2008 - The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter closed its shelter today for Hurricane Gustav evacuees. All needs have been met and the shelter is no longer needed as evacuees begin making their way back home.

In addition, four more Red Cross workers are being deployed to help with the ongoing Hurricane Gustav relief effort; this brings the total number of St. Louis Area Chapter hurricane relief workers to 17.

 

Red Cross workers are managing shelters, organizing help from community partners, providing emotional support and distributing food, water and clean-up kits. The Chapter's Emergency Response Vehicle is currently in Baton Rouge, LA where disaster volunteers are distributing supplies including pillows, blankets, shampoo, toothpaste, ice and clean-up kits.

 

Over 400 additional locally trained volunteers are on stand-by, prepared to help the relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region. The American National Red Cross supply warehouse in St. Louis, managed by the St. Louis Area Chapter, was activated last week; truckloads of supplies continue to move from St. Louis to the hardest-hit areas; supplies include cots, blankets, comfort kits and ready-to-eat meals.

 

Over 5,500 Red Cross workers from across the nation are helping in the emergency relief efforts to provide sheltering, feeding, bulk items and emotional support to evacuees returning home. Last night, the Red Cross operated 134 shelters where 22,698 people stayed the night.  While helping those affected by Hurricane Gustav, the American Red Cross has workers and equipment in position to help shelter, feed and comfort those affected by Tropical Storm Hanna; the Red Cross is also preparing to come to the aid of those who may be affected by Hurricane Ike.

 

How You Can Help:
During the United Way Campaign season, we encourage donors to support the United Way campaign; when you give to United Way of Greater St. Louis you give to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. For donors who wish to give directly to the hurricane relief efforts, you can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like Hurricane Gustav, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. To make a contribution in support of disaster relief for this and future events, please call 1.800.RED.CROSS or donate on-line at www.redcrossstl.org.

 

The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies. The Red Cross 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 thousands of volunteers that give freely of their time. All Red Cross disaster relief assistance is free of charge, thanks to generous public support. For more information about making a donation, volunteer opportunities, emergency services or a variety of other programs, please call 314.516.2800, or log on to the St. Louis Area Chapter’s website at www.redcrossstl.org.  

 

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is a charity, 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.