Please send the Red Cross undesignated donations
This is from a friend who works with the Red Cross in NYC who said to share it freely:
"When you read posts by people who want you to specify that donations to The American Red Cross in Greater New York (or any other relief organization) should go to a specific purpose, remind them of this:
Restricting donations to disasters that have already happened is very damaging.
BEFORE Sandy hit, the Red Cross had to already own functioning, inspected, registered, insured vehicles--and had to have money available for gas and oil. Those vehicles were used to move blankets, cots, MREs, water, and other supplies into position so they would be available once roads were blocked. Those goods already had to be purchased and in warehouses (which need insurance, electricity, etc.)
The people--90% of whom are volunteers--needed offices, which means electricity, water, heat/air conditioning, computers, furniture, printers, paper, toner, telephones, Internet service, etc. etc--all of which had to have been purchased and set up.
Do you see now why unrestricted money is so important? The Red Cross (and every disaster relief organization) needs to be able to prepare for upcoming disasters. If you restrict your donation to being used in past disasters, you are not helping prepare for the next--which could involve you."
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