DARKE COUNTY — With 2016 being a record year for devastating weather-related disasters, the Red Cross is appealing to the public to “Give Something That Means Something” this holiday season by donating to the Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign. The campaign supports people in their darkest hours, whether it’s someone who lost everything in a disaster, a hospital patient who needs blood or a military family facing an emergency.
The Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign offers a way to donate gifts that uniquely give back while supporting the organization’s mission. Individuals can choose from three essential giving opportunities:
- Gifts that help disaster victims: blankets, hot meals or a full day of emergency shelter.
- Gifts that help the military: comfort kits for service members, therapy support programs for ill and injured service members, veterans and their families.
- Gifts that help internationally: vaccinations to save children’s lives around the world.
“It’s such a gratifying feeling to give something that brings help and hope to those who need it most,” says Lynne Gump of the American Red Cross of the Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter. “The Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign offers both gift-givers and receivers the opportunity to experience the joy of giving this holiday season by supporting a family who’s lost everything to disaster, providing comfort to our service members and veterans, or helping to vaccinate a child overseas against deadly diseases.”
Through the holiday campaign, donors can give symbolic gifts, within a wide range of budgets, in honor of a loved one, colleague or client.
- A donation of $25 can provide blankets—as well as warmth and a sense of security—for five people staying in emergency shelters, while a $75 contribution can show our heroes and veterans that we care by providing military comfort kits to 30 service members.
- A $30 gift can provide hot meals for three people following a disaster, while a $50 donation can supply a full day of emergency shelter with urgently needed essentials, including 3 meals, 2 blankets, 1 cot, snacks and personal hygiene supplies for someone impacted by disaster.
- A financial contribution of $100 can educate families and vaccinate 100 children against measles and rubella—while a $500 gift can vaccinate an entire village.
These are a few of the most popular items from the Red Cross Holiday Giving effort. In addition to receiving free electronic or greeting cards, donors who contribute more than $125 also receive a Red Cross thank you gift while supplies last.
To access the catalog online, visit redcross.org/gifts. Choose from the diverse assortment of symbolic gifts, and make a tax-deductible donation online or call 1-800 RED CROSS to support the corresponding Red Cross services. Then, send a card to the friend, family member, co-worker or customer being honored by your donation. It’s that easy.
In addition, the need for blood—and volunteer blood donors—is constant, and is especially appreciated during the holiday season when busy schedules and holiday travel or inclement weather impact blood collection.
To schedule an appointment to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets or to learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org today!
