Staff Report

Suffolk residents are being asked to help with the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts in Florida.

&uot;Financial contributions are needed to supplement the national Red Cross disaster relief fund currently being expended to assist disaster victims,&uot; said Faye Byrum, executive director of organization’s chapter in Suffolk.

Relief efforts from hurricanes Charley and Frances are estimated to be $63 million, she said.

&uot;And that doesn’t include expenses incurred for Hurricane Ivan makes landfall in Florida,&uot; Byrum said.

Hurricanes Charley and Frances in Florida is the largest shelter operation in American Red Cross history.

As of Sept. 8, the American Red Cross had provided shelter for 281,632 people and provided 4,467,490 snacks and meals.

Two thousand American Red Cross vehicles are in Florida to help cook and deliver food, move supplies to the most needed locations and transport and deliver needed items to victims.

Financial contributions enable the Red Cross to provide assistance to individuals and families regardless of the type of disaster or where it occurs, Byrum said.

In addition to the sheltering, feeding, and first aid provided, Red Cross assistance helps those affected by disasters to pay for what they need most – from groceries, new clothing, and rent to emergency home repairs, transportation, household items, medicines, and tools.

&uot;Those of us who have been fortunate in being spared from these disasters are urged to come to the assistance of those in Florida,&uot; said Byrum, &uot;whose lives have been disrupted as well as to victims of other disasters by making a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.&uot;

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

To provide assistance to the Florida victims and thousands of other disasters across the country, financial gifts can be given to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to those in need.

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the Suffolk Chapter, American Red Cross, P.O. Box 129, Suffolk, Va.

23439-0129, or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C.

20013.

Internet users can make a secure online credit card donation by visiting www.redcross.org

Call 1-800-HELP NOW for more information.