Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

American Red Cross Stanislaus County Chapter

• Address: 1230 Sixth St., Modesto 95354

• Phone number: 523-6451

• Web site: www.stanredcross.org

• Describe the services provided by your agency: Chartered in 1917, American Red Cross serves Stanislaus County with disaster response, preparedness training, military services, CPR/first-aid and aquatic training, first-aid stations and community outreach. Your gift to Book of Dreams will support programs related to emergency response; services to members of the armed forces and their families; buying blankets for fire victims, homeless, seniors, disabled and/or veterans; and buying shoes for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

• How many individuals and/or families do you assist per year? During the 2008-09 fiscal year, we helped 333 individuals who received more than $32,112 in emergency lodging, food and clothing assistance following a single- or multi-family home fire; six military and/or veteran families received emergency financial assistance totaling $4,098 to help pay a utility or rent/mortgage bill; 369 individuals received a new or gently used clean blanket following a home fire or to help ward off the cold; and 93 children received a new pair of school shoes.

• How would a $10 donation be used to help your clients?

1. Groceries or restaurant meals for one fire victim for one day

2. One new blanket for a fire victim, homeless person, senior, disabled person or veteran

• How about a $25 donation?

1. Groceries or restaurant meals for a fire victim for two or three days

2. Diapers and formula for an infant after a home fire

3. One $15 Payless Shoe Source gift card for a school-age child

4. Two new blankets for fire victims, homeless or low-income senior, disabled person and/or veteran

• Or a $50 donation?

1. One night of motel lodging for two fire victims

2. Groceries or restaurant meals for one fire victim for one week

3. Partial payment of a utility bill for a military member

4. Three $15 Payless Shoe Source gift cards for school-age children

• How would your agency use a donation of $50 or $100 for your own program costs? $50 would help cover fees associated with Red Cross emergency response team training, response team identification apparel and emergency relief administrative costs. $100 would help cover one month's bill of after-hours/weekend/holiday emergency dispatch call service.

• Do you need volunteers? If so, what is the contact number for people who are interested? The American Red Cross relies on trained volunteers age 15 and older to help administer all programs, including emergency services, health and safety, and clerical, data entry, events/fund-raising and facility maintenance tasks. Call 523-6451.