Unusual Weather Patterns and Dramatic Rise in Home Fire Responses Prompts Red Cross to Urge Support for Families Impacted by Disaster

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Apr 24, 2017, 04:00 ET

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is holding a 24-hour Giving Day this Wednesday, April 26, with a focus to #help1family and provide hope and urgent relief like food, blankets, and other essentials to people impacted by disasters across the country.

Every year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters. That means that every eight minutes the Red Cross responds to a disaster – the vast majority of which are home fires. In addition, the Red Cross responds to a number of other significant disasters events – including floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

Behind each of these disasters are individuals and families that rely on their neighbors for help during their time of greatest need. A gift of $88.50* to the American Red Cross can support a family of three with a day's worth of food, blankets, comfort and other essentials.

Funds raised on April 26 will go toward supporting families recovering from disasters such as home fires, tornados and floods. Giving Day donations can be made at www.redcross.org/givingday, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. All donations will be processed on April 26, 2017.

WHO:	American Red Cross
WHAT:	24-hour, online fundraising effort to aid Red Cross emergency and disaster relief
WHERE:	Nationwide effort to support Red Cross chapters respond to emergencies across the country.
WHEN:	April 26, 2017 – 12:00 a.m. EST – 11:59 p.m. PST
WHY:	Giving Day Release
WEBSITE:	www.redcross.org/givingday
HASHTAG:	#help1family
MEDIA CONTACT:	Media Relations, 202-303-5551
ELEMENTS:	Video and photographs available.

*Dollar handle is based on FY16 data.

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.

About our Giving Day Supporters:
The American Red Cross is grateful for those donors that are making an impact to #help1family by supporting our Giving Day. They include: Sunoco, Willow Springs Foundation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Inc., Carvel, The Franzen Family and Jim Hixon. Thanks to the kindness of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to provide hope and urgent relief to people when they need it most.

SOURCE American Red Cross