To the editor:
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic events in Texas and Boston. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, been injured or had their homes destroyed.
Within hours of the plant explosion in West, Texas, the American Red Cross opened a shelter and began supporting a community response center. We are now providing emotional support and health services; additional relief items like comfort kits and water are on the way.
The Red Cross also is providing blood products to help people injured in the Texas explosion.
In Boston, the Red Cross was at the community vigils providing emotional support and health and spiritual care services. We will also be supporting a family assistance center in the coming days.
In Boston, the Red Cross has provided approximately 500 additional blood products to several area hospitals.
In response to the Boston marathon bombings, the Red Cross has mobilized nearly 150 trained workers (nine from Maine) to provide support and comfort. Since Monday, the Red Cross has served 7,000 meals and snacks; handed out dozens of relief items like blankets and comfort kits; and provided hundreds of mental health and health services contacts to people affected.
Over the next few days, the Red Cross will continue to work in close coordination with officials in both Texas and Boston to determine how we can best help the community and support emergency workers.
Even as we respond in Texas and Boston, the Red Cross is prepared to respond to severe weather and flooding in other areas of the country.
Last week’s tragedies show that emergencies can happen in any community at any time, and the Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year across the country. To support the disaster work of the Red Cross, people can donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Local donations are urgently needed as well — our Aroostook branch office has responded to 45 fire cases in the past 10 months — we still have two months to go within this fiscal year and we are over our budget.
This has been a difficult time for people across the country with several horrifying events, dramatic and emotional news reports and severe weather happening across the country. In these times, it’s important for people to connect with and support each other and do something that makes them feel prepared for future disasters.
Getting yourself and your family more prepared for disasters can bring peace of mind. Taking an action like downloading our first aid training, taking a first aid class or building a disaster supply kit can help you feel empowered to face future emergencies.
For more information about Red Cross services, or ways you can volunteer or donate, contact your local Red Cross office in Caribou by calling 207-493-4620, ext. 108 or email Joyce.Knorr@redcross.org.
Joyce Knorr
Aroostook County branch manager
American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter
