RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL OVER DELMARVA PITCH IN TO STAFF WILMINGTON SHELTER

June 20, 2006 – SEAFORD, DE – Les Potter and Stan Mills, two of more than 100 volunteers from all over Delmarva, are pictured at the Red Cross shelter for displaced Crestview apartments tenants in Wilmington. The two Sussex county residents have taken turns in managing the shelter since the day after it opened, May 31st, until it closed almost 3 weeks later on June 16th. . The shelter was set up to take care of displaced residents from city emergencies affecting two high-rises on the same day. Les and Stan managed the day-to-day needs of more than 80 people who stayed at the shelter while arrangements were being made for their alternate housing.

"We could not have done it without them, and we really appreciate the sacrifices Les and Stan and so many others made to take care of these unfortunate people who were left homeless in these community emergencies," said Jerry Picard, Emergency Services Manager for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. "In all, more than one hundred Red Cross volunteers from all over the state and the eastern shore of Maryland, answered our call to assist at the shelter. In addition we were able to call on the services of teams of AmeriCorps NCCC members, with whom Red Cross has an agreement for disaster situations."

The trained Red Cross disaster volunteers who contributed their time for this operation during the past 2 weeks came from all over Delmarva. They included 12 from Sussex county, 4 from Kent county (DE), 2 from Talbot, 2 from Kent (MD), 1 from Caroline county and 1 from Cecil county. Red Cross provides free disaster training and encourages interested people to sign up for training so that they too can help their neighbors whenever disaster strikes. For classes or to register, visit www.redcrossdelmarva.org or call the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula at 1-800-777-6620.

The Red Cross shelter at the City of Wilmington-owned William ‘Hicks’ Anderson Community Center was a collaboration with the City of Wilmington, Wilmington Housing Authority, the State of Delaware, emergency management, and other community partners, who have been involved in assisting the displaced residents since the crisis began. Throughout their stay, shelter residents have been assisted by trained health and mental health professionals and hot meals have been donated by more than 20 organizations, including churches, restaurants and individuals. The Delaware Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (DE-VOAD) is coordinating an effort to provide additional goods and services to Crestview residents by coordinating efforts with all community-based organizations. VOAD is especially interested in collecting bedding and household items that might assist Crestview residents and can be contacted at (302) 239-9758.

It is estimated that Red Cross emergency assistance – provided free of charge to those affected by the two building emergencies – will run to more than $60,000, to cover the immediate disaster-caused needs of those affected. Individuals and businesses are urged to donate generously to the Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund to help all those affected by disasters in our community. As the Red Cross is not a government agency and is not federally funded, it relies on donations from the public in order to provide its critical emergency services to those in need. To help the victims of this and other local disasters, contributions may be made by mail to the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, Local Disaster Relief Fund, P. O. Box 831, Wilmington, DE 19899-0831 or by calling 1-800-777-6620 during office hours. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcrossdelmarva.org.

Other giving opportunities include a special Wilmington Housing Authority Emergency Fire Fund – contributions can be made through the Commerce Bank Branch at 101 West 9th Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801. Donors may choose to support the Delaware Humane Association on 'A' Street in Wilmington, which has been boarding and caring for several dogs and cats owned by Crestview residents.

Meanwhile, a one-hour free community preparedness session, combined with a Red Cross volunteer orientation, was held at the Rehoboth Library on Tuesday June 20th from 5:30pm. Stan Mills presented on ways that families can plan for their safety, drawing on his experiences as a Red Cross volunteer locally and nationally.