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

Ottawa, December 2, 2013 – The Canadian Red Cross is announcing the launch of its annual holiday fundraising campaign to support families impacted by disaster. 

”On average, the Canadian Red Cross assists 63 Canadians daily, and responds every four hours,” says John Byrne, Director General of Disaster Management at the Canadian Red Cross.  “We support these communities by providing vital assistance to people’s basic needs.  This includes shelter, family reunification, community health, assistance finding support, first aid, information, clothing and food.”

When you visit www.redcross.ca/donate, you can change lives by putting together your own care package for a Canadian family struck by disaster.  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 include:

• A gift of $12 can bring comfort through a teddy bear to the youngest of those affected by disasters
• 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 $40 is enough to provide a sleep set to help keep an individual warm and comfortable during the night with a blanket, pillow, linen and a towel
• A gift of $50 will provide one week of transport services to someone in your community which enables access to health and social services
• A gift of $85 will ensure five days of  hot meal delivery to someone in need through the Canadian Red Cross Meals on Wheels program

“Share your holiday spirit and donate relief items to families in need,” 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 187 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.