Red Cross celebrates Canada Day by supporting flood-affected Albertans

OTTAWA, July 2, 2013 /CNW/ - There's nothing more Canadian than helping others, and that is exactly what Canadian Red Cross volunteers did as they continued to actively support ongoing relief efforts for those affected by the Alberta floods.

"It was a sea of red and white - Canadian flags blended with Red Cross vests," said Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "Red Cross volunteers have been responding around the clock to meet the urgent needs of disaster affected communities. Recovery will be a long-term process and as needs emerge over time, Red Cross will still be there."

To-date, more than 764 volunteers have contributed to this response. Through community outreach, they have distributed more than 25,000 relief supplies such as first aid and clean-up kits, hygiene items, water, towels, cots and blankets to nearly 16,000 residents this weekend alone.

Community outreach continues in the affected areas to identify both urgent and ongoing needs for families. The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with local municipalities and other community social service agencies such as food banks to provide support for the most vulnerable residents.

Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca, at your local Red Cross office, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by texting REDCROSS or ROUGE to 30333. Rogers customers can text ABHELP to 4664.

Thanks to the generosity of Canadian more than $14.5 million has been raised with $3.5 million already allocated to emergency relief efforts.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

SOURCE: CANADIAN RED CROSS

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