Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Donations Help Most Vulnerable Facing Disasters, Global Emergencies, Blood Crisis

2022 has been a year of crisis for families across the country — from Hurricane Ian in Florida to historic flooding in Montana to the first-ever national American Red Cross blood crisis.

“Whether a crisis is felt by an entire community or a single person, it turns lives upside down — especially for the most vulnerable,” said Nicole Sirak Irwin, regional CEO of the Red Cross of Idaho, Montana and East Oregon. “This holiday season, join us to provide help and hope for people in need during future emergencies by making a financial donation or by giving blood.”

On Giving Tuesday and during the holidays, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood. Individuals can also register for volunteer opportunities in their area by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.

RESPONDING TO DISASTERS OF ALL SIZES: This year’s extreme disasters in the U.S. are clear examples of the increasing frequency and intensity of the climate crisis. So far in 2022, 15 billion-dollar disasters have upended lives across the country — more than twice the number of billion-dollar disasters that struck annually two decades ago.

Red Cross volunteers have worked 24/7 to provide shelter, food and care during tens of thousands of disasters across the country - including helping Montana families following devastating flooding in June.

HELPING FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GLOBAL EMERGENCIES: Internationally, the conflict in Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee for their lives. With such vast needs, the American Red Cross has provided financial donations and international crisis responders to support the global Red Cross network’s response on the ground, which spans more than a dozen neighboring countries to deliver food, shelter, medical care, emotional support and other critical aid for displaced families.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has also provided financial support to the ongoing hunger crisis in Africa. Overall this year, as part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross provided humanitarian aid in more than 108 countries. Here in Idaho and Montana, our volunteers are working to reconnect families separated by war, famine, and other crises through our Restoring Family Links program.

OVERCOMING THE FIRST-EVER RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: In January 2022, the Red Cross experienced its worst national blood shortage in over a decade due to ongoing collection challenges and varied hospital demand during the pandemic. Patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions relied on an outpouring of support from hundreds of thousands of generous blood donors to overcome the crisis.

Beyond national headlines, the need for blood is constant. One in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. As seasonal illness and the threat of winter weather ramp up this holiday season, make a donation appointment and be a lifeline for car accident victims, parents with complicated childbirths, individuals battling cancer, and people with sickle cell disease.

Give thanks and give back — now is the time to make and keep blood donation appointments. Book a time to give at RedCrossBlood.org. As a thank-you, all those that come to give Nov. 23-27 will get an exclusive Red Cross beanie, while supplies last. Thanks to our partners at Amazon, all donors who come to give blood Nov. 28-Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Gift card by email.

Donation opportunities:

BOZEMAN: 12/8/2022: 10 AM - 4 PM, Montana State University Student Union Building, 751 W. Grant St.

12/9/2022: 10 AM - 3 PM, Ressler Motors, 8476 Huffine Lane.

THREE FORKS: 12/1/2022: 12 PM - 6:30 PM, United Methodist Church, 124 2nd Ave. E.

BOULDER: 12/15/2022: 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Assembly of God, 502 N. Jackson St.

DEER LODGE: 12/8/2022: 1 PM - 6:15 PM, Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood

Visit https://www.redcross.org/local/montana/ways-to-donate/local-giving.html for more information about how Red Cross helped people in Montana in 2022.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 

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