Tornados, Cold Weather, and Fires, Oh My!!

Around 8 pm on Tuesday, November 30th, Easley resident Brian James and his fiancé went next door to his mother's mobile home to watch a movie. A few moments later, the lights flickered and the trailer moved. The next seconds were a blur. Upon attempting to exit the home, the door would not open. The trailer and porch had shifted causing the door to be blocked. When they were finally able to exit his mother's mobile home, they viewed the devastation outside. His home, which had been just a few feet away, lay nearby in a field, mangled and destroyed.

See some pics of the Easley tornado damage

This is just one of the many stories relayed to our caseworkers as they were meeting with families whose homes have been damaged - and in two cases - completely destroyed. Since that Tuesday evening 11 Red Cross volunteers and 3 Red Cross staff have provided shelter, food, clothing, other disaster relief assistance, comfort and hope to those we are serving.

The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina also is currently assisting the 11 victims December 5th’s Springwood Apartments fire in Berea, in addition to 55 other victims of fire from cities across the upstate that have suffered the loss of their homes and belongings in the past week.

Through the generous donations of individuals and businesses across the Upstate, the American Red Cross is able to meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of the victims, which include food, clothing, lodging, medications, and bedding. Since July of this year, the American Red Cross of the Upstate has delivered over $102,000 in direct assistance to disaster victims right here at home.

Disasters occur somewhere in the Upstate on the average of twice a day. It’s not only fires that the Red Cross of the Upstate responds to. In fact, the Red Cross was on the scene of last week’s tornado touch downs in Easley and Gray Court. With cold air moving in for the season, we must be ready for severe weather and weather related fires. It is with the help of an active corps of Red Cross volunteers that the chapter is able to respond seven days a week, around the clock, no matter the weather. Six volunteer caseworkers continue to work with the families who suffered substantial losses in the last 24 hours.

Since the American Red Cross is a non-governmental organization, it receives no funding or personnel from the federal government in order to fulfill its mission. It is funded and staffed largely by the generosity of Upstate residents and businesses who donate both time and money.

We have received a challenge from some donors in the Upstate of South Carolina. All gifts up to $138,000 will be matched if received before December 31, 2010. So please consider a gift today to bring hope and comfort to our neighbors during their time of need.

Because the needs of disaster victims are great, so are the needs of the American Red Cross. If you would like to assist your neighbors in need this season, please contact the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina to donate either time or money.

DONATE NOW!