From: dfuller@nyx.cs.du.edu (Desi Fuller)
Subject: American Red Cross Q&A
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 15:48:48 GMT

     Q.   Why are there so many people in Florida standing in line
and waiting for hours to receive vouchers?  
A.   We have six service centers open in Florida where disaster
victims can go to get vouchers for food, clothing, medicine and
other emergency assistance.  Because of the extent of damage to
buildings, facilities in the hardest hit areas are not available to
house additional service centers.  But we are seeking out more
locations and when they can be secured we will open them.
     We now have nearly 4,000 trained paid and volunteer staff in
Florida working to meet the need there, but we're going to need
even more. So we're continuing to send in more trained workers from
ARC chapters across the country.  In addition, the ARC chapters in
Florida are training new local volunteers to work in service
centers which is increasing the number of clients we can help.
     Q.   Why haven't you gotten in touch with everyone in Florida
who needs assistance in the disaster area?
A.   ARC assistance is available to everyone who needs it, and we
strive to make people aware of our services.  However, situations
such as power outages and the curtailed newspaper delivery make it
difficult to get the word out.  We are currently reaching people,
both Spanish and English speaking, through limited media exposure
as well as flyers, signs, posters, and word of mouth.  Other
avenues of communication are being considered constantly.
     Q.   Why won't the ARC accept donations of food and clothing
when so many people need these things?
A.   The ARC is accepting large quantity donations of specific
items from the corporate and business community.  Our current needs
are for things such as flashlights and batteries; antibiotic
ointments; portable radios; canned drinks; baby products such as
disposable diapers, food and formula; personal care items including
sanitary napkins, adult diapers, soap and tooth brushes; and paper
goods including plates and cups, and toilet tissue.
     We continue to encourage people to contribute financially to
this relief effort, as well.  That enables us to providing disaster
victims with the means to purchase what they need locally, which
also helps the economy of the disaster stricken area.
     Q.   If ARC assistance is free to victims of disasters, then
why are you asking the people of Florida for money right now?
A.   Our first priority is providing services to the victims of
disasters and providing them with essential emergency relief.  But
because of back-to-back years with record numbers of disasters, the
ARC disaster relief fund was depleted months before Hurricane
Andrew struck.  We have appealed to the people throughout this
country, including Florida, to help us help disaster victims
through their financial contributions, which we turn around and use
to provide disaster victims with food, clothing, medical supplies,
emergency household items and other emergency needs.  But I want to
make it clear that we do not expect those who have been affected by
this disaster to feel they need to contribute, and I want to
reiterate that ALL ARC help for disaster victims is free.
     Q.   If the ARC has no disaster relief money, how can you
continue to provide disaster relief to victims?
A.   ARC has made a commitment to disaster victims and we will
provide the necessary assistance.  We have eaten into our operating
reserves, reduced staff at national headquarters, and made a number
of other cuts where possible so we can keep funding the disaster
relief program.  We will not compromise our services to the victims
of Hurricane Andrew, or those of Typhoon Omar in Guam and the other
victims of disasters.  But we need the continued support of the
American people.  Disaster relief is free, and it's a gift from the
people of this country who channel their concern to victims through
their contributions to the ARC.
     Q.   Are any of the problems the ARC has had during Hurricane
Andrew be attributed to the shortage of relief funds?
A.  No.  The ARC is going all out to help disaster victims in
Florida and Louisiana.  We have not cut back our relief services to
people in need.  But we are depending on the generosity of the
American people to continue to provide these vital services in
future disasters.   
     Q. What's the best way for people to help disaster victims?
A. The best way for people to help is to send a financial
contribution to the ARC Disaster Relief Fund.  
     Those contributions enable the ARC to provide disaster victims
with the means to purchase the emergency items or repairs they need
from their local merchants.  That serves two important purposes. 
It enables families to select and buy specifically what they need,
and it helps the economy of the disaster stricken area by
supporting local businesses.
     People wishing to help victims of Hurricane Andrew and other
disasters may send a financial contribution to the ARC Disaster
Relief Fund at their local Red Cross chapter, or to PO Box 37243,
Wash, DC 20013.  Donations may also be charged to a credit card by
calling 1-800-842-2200 (English) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
     Q.   How much of every dollar donated for disaster relief
actually goes to help the victims?
A.   About 92 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to the
victims in the form of food, shelter, medicine, supplies,
counseling and referrals, and other emergency assistance.
     Q.   Have you sent blood supplies to Florida?
A.   Yes, we've seen some of the same generosity in blood donations
that we have in donations of money, food and clothing for the storm
victims.  Although there was no increase in the need for blood
because of the hurricane, several ARC blood centers were able to
send a total of about 1200 units (donations) of blood to both Miami
and Mobile, AL in preparation for the coming storm.  Blood
collections have resumed in Miami, and, because some blood drives
may be cancelled because of damage to the workplace, donors are
--
Desmond S. Fuller - Network Administrator       American Red Cross
                                                Jerome H. Holland Laboratory
Office - (301) 738-0898 or -0894                15601 Crabbs Branch Way
FAX    - (301) 738-0794                         Rockville, MD  20855