You were right on target about volunteers playing a major role in responding to the national emergency that was Hurricane Katrina, two years ago. Humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross count on the volunteer efforts of thousands of concerned citizens to deliver life-saving services at times like these.

From all 50 states, more than 219,400 trained Red Cross volunteers left the comfort of their homes at short notice, including the local Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula volunteers. They worked alongside other community groups, living with those whose lives had been devastated, to provide shelter, hot meals, mental health counseling – and hope.

It is important to note that the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts exceeded $2 billion, meeting the urgent needs of Hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors in a number of areas – including food and shelter, emergency financial assistance and physical and mental health services. More than 1,633,350 mental and health contacts related to Hurricanes Katrina were made by the Red Cross.

After Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the Red Cross provided hurricane survivors with nearly 3.42 million overnight stays in 1,100 shelters across 27 states and the District of Columbia. The Red Cross, in coordination with the Southern Baptist Convention, served more than 27.4 million hot meals and 25.2 million snacks to hurricane survivors.

In addition, Red Cross financial assistance was provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, checks and cash. The Red Cross distributed financial assistance to approximately 1.2 million families (more than 3.7 million hurricane survivors). And, to enable us to do so, the American public poured out their hearts and fund, in an overwhelming fashion. We thank them for helping us help others in the time of need.

Red Cross volunteers and volunteers from all other organizations, are to be commended for their dedication, hard work and carrying out their missions. We appreciate everything Red Cross volunteers did after the 2005 Gulf States hurricanes and what they do every day in our community, 24/7.

To be sure your family is prepared; visit the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula website at www.redcrossdelmarva.org. We always welcome individuals and businesses who would like to train to help during future disasters. Through your valued contributions, we can all work together to make a difference in people’s lives whenever – and wherever – disaster strikes.