American Red Cross

We all remember when Gulf communities were devastated by the impact of Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita five years ago. It was a natural disaster season of historic proportion.  And our response – thanks to generous Red Cross supporters like you – was historic, too.

Because of the $2.2 billion generously contributed by donors here, across the country, and around the world, the American Red Cross mounted an unprecedented response – assisting millions of people with shelter, hot meals, funds to get back on their feet, emotional support and resources to meet additional basic needs.

Please check out our report  on the multi-year, massive relief and response operation: Building Help, Building Hope — The American Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma: http://www.redcross.org/Katrina5Year

Inside you will find inspirational stories of the help and the  hope delivered and examples of the substantial progress made.  It is also a look at the present and the future capabilities of our organization.  The American Red Cross and the nation are better prepared today than we were five years ago; however, much more needs to be done to make communities disaster ready.

As we approach the fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, it is a reminder that the unthinkable can happen.  It also reminds us that everyone must do his or her part to get homes, businesses, schools and communities ready.

With forecasters predicting an extremely severe hurricane season in 2010 in an area that has already been hit hard by the Gulf oil spill and a significant increase in local Silicon Valley disasters such as home fires, your American Red Cross needs to be equipped with the talent and resources to help.

We are not funded by the government, but by the generosity of individuals like you and of local corporations, that make our lifesaving work, to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and to prepare communities before they strike, possible.

Thank you for your continued support,

Barb Larson Larkin, Chief Executive Officer