From the Red Cross Scenic Bluffs Chapter

Red Cross Flood Relief Event
Friday June 13, 2008
La Crosse Center
Nelson Agri Center-Viroqua

Info and common questions and answers!

Where can I donate?
Right Now.
•Credit card donations can be made by phone at 608-788-1000 or 800-837-6313
•Mail to Scenic Bluffs Chapter, 2927 Losey Blvd. South, La Crosse, WI 54601
•Friday - The La Crosse Center - La Crosse and
Nelson Agri-Center – Viroqua (217 North Center Avenue Viroqua, WI 54665)

MARK WISCONSIN FLOOD RELIEF ON THE ENVELOPE OR CHECKS TO ENSURE DONATIONS ARE APPLIED TO THE CORRECT RELIEF EFFORT.

Where can I get help?
•Local Red Cross at 608-788-1000 or 800-837-6313
•Great Rivers 211

What counties and towns will it be used in?
•While we’re not able to designate your gift to a specific location (like La Farge or Gays Mills), your gift will help provide Red Cross Services to people in Wisconsin counties that were impacted by the recent flooding and severe weather.
•29 counties throughout Wisconsin are included in this response including Vernon, Juneau, La Crosse, Crawford, Richland and Grant Counties.

What has the local Red Cross already done?
•We were able to respond immediately because of the dedicated volunteers which make Red Cross services possible. The Scenic Bluffs Chapter has already provided sheltering support to Caledonia and Brownsville in Minnesota and in La Farge, Ontario, Viroqua, & Viola in Wisconsin.

•In addition to sheltering we have provided clean up kits, water and meals throughout the local areas affected.

What is the Red Cross doing right now to help flood victims?
• Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. We continue to provide shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs.
• In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.
• Volunteer crews are performing damage assessments.
• We’ll also be doing individual casework to help each family determine their specific immediate needs.
• The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area and helps those affected by disaster to access other available services and agencies.

What happens after the flood waters recede?
• The role of the Red Cross is to provide immediate emergency needs including food, shelter and clothing.
• Once the Emergency phase has passed we work to help those affected get started in their recovery process and work with families to connect with other agencies who can help to provide intermediate and long term relief.

How much of my donation goes to relief versus overhead costs?
• At least 91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes directly to disaster relief efforts.
• These services include providing shelter, food, financial support, health and mental health counseling, costs associated with Emergency Response Vehicles, and other assistance to those in need.
• The American Red Cross is one of the most highly regarded organizations for maximizing the use of every dollar. Charity Navigator awarded the American Red Cross four out of four stars, its highest possible rating for fiscal responsibility, for the fourth year in a row. The Red Cross is committed to using donations efficiently and effectively to fulfill our humanitarian mission.

Is the American Red Cross accepting donations of items such as food or clothing for this disaster relief effort?

NO
• Donations of goods and services, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and complicate relief efforts. The Red Cross is unable to accept items such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, cleaning supplies, and canned goods.
• The cost to sort, package, and distribute these types of donations to disaster victims is almost always greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally, and it is logistically impossible to distribute a wide variety of individual items in a meaningful way.
• Because of these cost and logistical concerns, we recommend that you support your community by donating these items to an organization that is equipped to put them to the best possible local use.
• The Red Cross works with corporations that can provide large quantities of new items needed immediately to care for victims.

What steps are being taken to ensure that we an accurate total of dollars raised by this effort and then as time goes on a complete accounting of where the money goes
At every site there will be a person to count the money and a second person to double check that and verify the amounts.
• When we have major disasters like these we are required to report donations twice a week to national. The money is then sent to national where they have to track it by designation. This is tested by our auditors locally and nationally - Ed Jaekel of Johnson Jaekel and Associates would be able to confirm this for you.

What if you raise more money than is needed to provide services for those affected by this flooding?
• The American Red Cross is committed to honoring donor intent and to being forthcoming and transparent with donors and the public. In addition to educating donors about how their donations are helping, the Red Cross also has a system of confirming donor intent in the acknowledgment letter that donors receive.
• Once sufficient funds are raised to cover Red Cross cost for a relief operation, the organization notifies the public and individual donors to assure proper protocols are followed.

I want to help raise money for a specific family who was affected by disaster.
• We applaud your desire to help a family at a difficult time, but unfortunately gifts for a specific family or person cannot be made through the American Red Cross. We are committed to helping every family in need recover from emergencies by providing food, clothing, shelter and other essential services and supplies based on need.
• Watch for information regarding special and more localized relief funds designated to support families once the emergency phase has passed.