For every American Red Cross disaster relief statistic, there is a story – a story of a person being welcomed by volunteers at a Red Cross shelter, of an emergency worker who grabbed a bite to eat from an Emergency Response Vehicle, or of a child who found comfort by talking to a Red Cross volunteer. When those stories, meals and snacks add up into the millions, the need for your support grows even stronger.

• More than 22,000 Red Cross workers have helped with relief efforts; 36 disaster relief workers were sent by our chapter.
• The Red Cross opened 916 shelters and evacuation centers to accommodate those affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
• Red Cross volunteers served almost 13,900,000 meals to shelter residents, emergency workers and people returning to their homes before utilities were restored. To transport those meals, the Red Cross utilized 525 Emergency Response Vehicles from across the nation.
• Red Cross bulk distribution volunteers distributed almost 104,000 comfort kits full of hygiene products to shelter residents. When residents could return to their homes, Red Cross vehicles scoured the area, passing out more than 106,000 clean up kits to those who were repairing their damaged or destroyed homes.