Area Restaurants Invite Diners To “Paint The Town Red” During Red Cross Month

Wilmington, DE – March 5, 2007 – On Wednesday March 14th, families can support the work of their local Red Cross by dining out at participating restaurants. “Paint the Town Red - Dine Out for the American Red Cross”, a fun and easy way for local families to be involved in Red Cross Month, will take place in restaurants all over Delaware and throughout many counties in Maryland. More than 45 participating restaurants will contribute part of their proceeds from “Paint the Town Red” to the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, which provides 24-hour emergency assistance to local families struck by disasters such as fires and floods.

“America has always been a place of humanitarian action and compassion—a place where people take care of each other whether those in need are down the street or around the globe,” said Margi Prueitt, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. “We are so excited that local restaurants have partnered with us to make it possible for you to enjoy a wonderful meal at your favorite restaurant, to be part of Red Cross Month, and to help the Red Cross on March 14th . What a delicious way to give!”

In March, the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula celebrates Red Cross Month, and its 102nd year of helping people in our community, by thanking its neighbors who personify America’s humanitarian spirit by making donations of money, time and talents. These contributions help make our communities safer and healthier places in which to live, work and raise our families.

In the past year alone, the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula assisted 1,021 local residents after emergencies, assisted 444 military families in relaying emergency messages to their loved ones and trained 15,135 people in lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid. More than 220 seniors living independently were given peace of mind through the Red Cross Lifeline personal medical alert program, and 2,223 people on the Delmarva Peninsula attended Community Disaster Education presentations, teaching them vital emergency preparedness steps. Red Cross volunteers are the core of the Red Cross, donating their time and energy to selflessly serve those in need; demonstrating the compassion and generosity for which Americans are known.

Another major focus of Red Cross Month is to raise funds to support the many services provided by the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula everyday in Delaware and on the eastern shore of Maryland. The Red Cross provides emergency assistance – 24 hours a day – FREE OF CHARGE – to local families hit by disaster.

Your donations help in the following ways:

$25 Helps buy five blankets
$35 Replaces a prescription medication
$65 Feeds and shelters a person for a day and one night in a local motel
$115 Buys groceries for a displaced family for one week
$350 Feeds and shelters 50 disaster victims for one night
$1,000 Buys 50 home clean-up kits for use after a home fire or flood

“As a volunteer-led organization, the American Red Cross relies on the generosity of the local community to support our relief services for families affected by home fires and other disasters, and to prepare and train families in how to prevent and respond to potential emergencies,” said Margi Prueitt . “Your local Red Cross needs continued support in the coming year. Disasters can strike our community at any time. This month and throughout the year, the Red Cross is asking people to give generously to your local Red Cross. When you help the Red Cross, you are really helping your neighbors right here at home.” .To make a donation to the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula to help assist local families in Delaware and on the eastern shore of Maryland whenever disaster strikes, call (800) 777-6620, or donate on-line at www.redcrossdelmarva.org.

As at March 7th, more than 60 restaurants in Delaware and Maryland have agreed to participate in Paint the Town Red (Dine Out for the Red Cross on March 14th). Addresses for these restaurants and others that sign up are listed at www.redcrossdelmarva.org/paint_the_town_red.htm.

Restaurants that are interested in participating can contact: New Castle, Kent and Cecil (MD) counties: Christine Maiese at (302) 656-6620 ext. 6242, or 800-777-6620 ext. 6242; Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties: Betsy Tuttle at 800-777-6620 ext. 6262; Sussex and Kent (DE) counties: Sarah Gilmour at (302) 472-6260, or 800-777-6620 ext. 6260.