The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Becomes First American Red Cross Mission Leader

Mission Leaders Are an Elite Group Contributing $3 Million or More Annually

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Oct 30, 2018, 10:17 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross today recognized long-time supporter The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for becoming its first-ever Mission Leader.

Mission Leaders are an elite group of Red Cross partners who donate $3 million or more annually to drive innovation and advance the organization's mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering.

Through its annual commitment, the Church pledges critical financial, volunteer and in-kind support to ensure the organization is prepared to meet the urgent needs of people affected by disasters and other crises with care and comfort, anytime and anywhere across the U.S.

"The American Red Cross mission is brought to life every day because of generous volunteers and partners like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," said American Red Cross president and CEO Gail McGovern. "We are excited to deepen our longstanding and remarkable partnership with the Church to deliver urgently needed relief for people facing life's emergencies."

The partnership among the Red Cross and the Church spans nearly a century since working together on humanitarian relief efforts during World War I. Over the past 30 years alone, the Church has invested nearly $15 million in the Red Cross mission and engaged Church members in more than 230 projects to aid disaster survivors across the country, provide critical blood donations and help save lives through disaster preparedness programs around the world.

"The partnership among the American Red Cross and the Church spans nearly a century since working together on humanitarian relief efforts during World War I," said Bishop Dean M. Davies, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. "We recognize and appreciate the skill and expertise the Red Cross organization and their people bring to bear when people need it most and are pleased to join hands with them in reaching out to those in need."

On average, the Red Cross responds every eight minutes to a disaster in the U.S.—from hurricanes to home fires. Most recently, the Church committed $1.5 million to purchase 10 new Red Cross emergency response vehicles critical to disaster relief efforts. These vehicles are often among the first signs of relief in hard-hit neighborhoods, enabling Red Cross volunteers to deliver hot meals and relief items, such as cleanup kits, to people cleaning up damaged homes.

The Church also provides annual financial support for Red Cross Disaster Relief, enabling Red Cross volunteers to provide shelter, food and emotional support, and donates in-kind relief supplies like comfort kits with hygiene items for people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

Members of the Church also generously volunteer their time with the Red Cross, helping as trained volunteers for disaster response operations, donating lifesaving blood for patients in need and serving on local Red Cross chapter boards.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE American Red Cross