American Red Cross of RI

PRESS CONTACT INFO

ANGIE MONCADA
Director of Communications
& Special Events

PHONE
(401) 831-7700 x101
E-MAIL
[email protected]

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RED CROSS REPORT

The "Red Cross Report" is a publication of the American Red Cross of Rhode Island. These newsletters are now available online in Portable Document Format (pdf) for quick viewing and printing. Click Here to read the latest.

Thursday, April 7, 2005
$50,000 Challenge Grant Presented to the
RI Red Cross for Local Disaster Relief Efforts

Appeal made to community to support the match

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and its employees announced a $50,000 grant to the local chapter of the American Red Cross, which they hope will be matched by contributions from the community. These funds will assist with disaster relief services in Rhode Island. The major portion of this grant is funded by BCBSRI employees who recognize the tremendous service that the American Red Cross of Rhode Island makes every day to our neighbors, friends, and co-workers who are the victims of local disasters. The remaining portion of this grant is made possible through the BCBSRI charitable giving program.

Since 2001, BCBSRI and its employees have helped to support many health programs addressing critical needs in our community. When recently informed about the Red Cross's financial shortfall, BCBSRI employees unanimously agreed to make a substantial donation the RI Chapter of the Red Cross.

"To have the support of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is vitally important to the Red Cross and we could not continue our work without great friends like them," stated Daniel S. Samborn, CEO of the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter. "With our recent cut in United Way funding, we are facing the perfect storm right now: responding to a fire or other emergency every 11 hours, working with more military families than ever before in our history, and confronting donor attrition in light of the tsunami."

Each year, the RI Chapter provides emergency assistance to over 1,200 Rhode Islanders in the form of food, clothing, shelter, and medication. It costs $1,000 per family of four to provide such assistance. On average, a team of trained volunteers from the RI Chapter responds to a house fire or other emergency every 11 hours. The Red Cross is not a government agency and does not receive any federal or state funding. We rely on the public for financial support. If you would like to make a donation, you may mail a check to the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter, 105 Gano Street, Providence, RI 02906. In the memo portion of your check, please write "Blue Cross Community Match". Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.riredcross.org or you may call (401) 831-7700. The Community match will run through June 30, 2005 or until the total amount has been met.

© Copyright 2002-2005 American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
American Red Cross of Rhode Island • 105 Gano Street :: PO Box 2496 • Providence, RI 02906
Tel: (401) 831-7700 • TOLL FREE 1-800-842-1122 • Fax: (401) 831-0502

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