Please pass around:

To all:

I discovered on Saturday while working at my local American Red Cross office, that because of the immense generosity of money going to help Haiti, the local charities are suffering.

For example, some Red Cross Chapters  may have to cut staff/close if they cannot generate funding.

The Red Cross does not get government money and is completely supported by donation. Also, each Chapter is self funded and supported by donation.

Think of the horrible fires. The American Red Cross Chapter of that county opens, supplies and runs the shelters at no expense to the sheltered.

Mudslides?  The American Red Cross Chapter of that county opens,  supplies and runs the shelters at no expense to the sheltered.

Ice Storms? Same

Remember Katrina? Same.

Have a local loved one in the military? The American  Red Cross will fly them home in case of emergency at no expense to you or the soldier.

If your house burned down, The American Red Cross Chapter of that county will offer you at least 3

days of hotel accommodations if you have nowhere to go, again at no expense to you.

There are endless things that your local Red Cross does that you may need yourself some day.

So please, donate any more money you want to send elsewhere to the American Red Cross Chapter of the County where you live, otherwise, when we have a disaster locally, they may not be here to help us.

Thank you.

I  thought red cross was just made up of volunteers, why would they need to cut stafF?

They do have a lot of volunteers but, some people are paid. Directors, marketing, office personel, etc. Also, the money that pays for food, blankets, water, fuel, vehilces, rent on buildings, etc is disappearing. Every dollar given to the Red Cross is used very well.