Canadian Red Cross launches holiday giving campaign to benefit families and individuals in need across Canada

Ottawa, December 4, 2014 – The Canadian Red Cross has launched a holiday fundraising campaign to support families and individuals impacted by disasters and personal emergencies across the country.

”On average, the Canadian Red Cross assists 10,000 Canadians affected by personal disasters each year,” says John L. Byrne, Director General of Disaster Management at the Canadian Red Cross. “There’s a cost to the aid we provide, such as emergency shelter, clothing and food and other essential needs. We’re able to do so only with the generous support of donors.”

“The holiday season and winter months that follow unfortunately are when we see a surge in demand for this support. It’s also the season when social isolation affects many in our communities. The Canadian Red Cross, through a range of community health programs, is there to provide comfort and support.”

When you visit www.redcross.ca/donate, you can change lives by selecting items that ensure families and individuals affected by disaster receive the vital support offered through our network of trained, compassionate volunteers and staff, who will be there to respond, 24 hours a day throughout the holiday season. Every gift, no matter how big or small, will help the Red Cross provide support, help and hope to someone when they need it most.

Gift giving options such as the following will support disaster relief work and other Red Cross programs and services that make a meaningful difference to so many of our fellow Canadians at this time of year:

·         A gift of $15 will provide a day of hot meal delivery to someone in need through the Canadian Red Cross Meals on Wheels program.
·         A gift of $30 is enough to provide family groceries for one day to help speed up the recovery of a family suffering through tragedy.
·         A gift of $50 is enough to provide a set of replacement clothes for an individual who may have lost everything in a house fire.
·         A gift of $60 will provide one week of transport services to someone in your community which enables access to health and social services.
·         A gift of $90 will provide an infant care kit to keep a child safe and warm throughout the winter.
 
“Your gift will ensure families and individuals in need of Red Cross support across Canada are able to enjoy a happy holiday season,” adds Byrne.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 189 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

 
For More information please contact:
Canadian Red Cross Media Line
(613) 740-1994