No Cape or Super Power Required

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, to any one of us.  Locally and nationally, the American Red Cross is always there to “save the day” for victims of these devastating events. For almost 130 years the American Red Cross has served the people of this country. The American Red Cross provides free disaster relief assistance, health and safety training, services to armed forces, emergency preparedness education blood donation programs and other services important to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergency situations.

To continue to fund these essentials services in the local area, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will conduct a grassroots fundraiser known as the Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign.

Being a Hero for the American Red Cross is easy—no cape or super power required. Individuals, companies and organizations throughout the metro community are encouraged to participate in this fun campaign.  A hero simply commits to raise or donate a minimum of $1,000 in support of their local Red Cross Chapter.  This year’s campaign goal is $80,000 and Heroes can personalize their own fundraising page, or team page by visiting http://american.redcross.org/Heroes2011. The campaign will run until January.

The way each hero raises funds may vary, but the reason each chooses to support the Red Cross is similar—lives touched by the Red Cross.  

In addition to the less publicized home fire disaster relief assistance that the American Red Cross performs every day, the recent flooding that displaced hundreds of people in the Woodbridge and Huntington areas is a notable example of the Red Cross in action and the real difference it makes in this community and the lives of families in crisis.  For more than two weeks, these flood victims were provided a comfortable and safe place to stay, meals, snacks, beverages, toiletries and other immediate needs at shelters managed and staffed by trained American Red Cross volunteers.  Plus, about 70 families were interviewed by American Red Cross caseworkers to help determine  their long-term recovery needs and to help them secure housing via rental and security deposit assistance. This operation is still ongoing and will cost more than $200,000.

Several heroes have already stepped up to help, but more are needed. For information about becoming a Hero for the American Red Cross, or to sign up, please visit http://american.redcross.org/Heroes2011  or email campbelld@redcrossnca.org.
Donations to support a Hero can also be made at this website.

Karen Wayne, Red Cross Community Executive for Prince William and Loudoun County, poses with Tony Howard, President and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. Howard and the Chamber’s Chairman, Kurt Krause, have agreed to take a pie in the face in an effort to raise $20,000 as part of the Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign.