RALEIGH — On Red Cross Giving Day, Wednesday, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to remember those families whose lives are changed forever by disaster.

This one-day nationwide event is being held to help ensure the Red Cross is able to meet its critical mission to help families who have been affected by weather, disasters, home fires and other emergencies.

Every year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters. That means that every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster — the vast majority of which are home fires. Here in eastern North Carolina, we respond on average to five families each day who lose their homes to fires.

But it is important to remember behind these statistics are individual families who rely on their neighbors for help. A gift to our one-day awareness effort can provide urgent relief of food, shelter, financial assistance and recovery support. The Red Cross is asking the public to turn compassion into action and support this Giving Day to change the story of a single family in their time of need.

Funds raised today will go toward supporting families recovering from disasters such as home fires, tornadoes and floods. Giving Day donations can be made at www.redcross.org/givingday.
WHO: American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina

WHAT: Giving Day – If we each #help1family, think of what we could do.

WHERE: 24-hour, online fundraising campaign for Red Cross emergency and disaster relief

WHEN: Today – 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

WEBSITE: www.redcross.org/givingday

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.