PALMDALE— The American Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter has been busy fielding calls and visitors from the community asking how they can help the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
“The Antelope Valley is a very generous community,” said American Red Cross Chapter Executive Jeff Baumgartner. “Our chapter has strong support from our local residents and businesses, and this generosity has always expanded during other large scale disasters that have hit home and abroad,” said Baumgartner.
“Our phones have been ringing off the hook from residents and businesses asking how they can help,” said Baumgartner.
Red Cross officials say this is how you can help:
GIVE BLOOD
Hundreds of Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled back east due to the storm, representing a loss of thousands of blood and platelet products. The Antelope Valley Chapter hosts blood drives weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Chapter House at 2715 East Avenue P in Palmdale.
Additionally, many community partners are also hosting blood drives in the coming weeks. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment for any of these blood drives.
November 19, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Antelope Valley College – Student Lounge
3041 W. Avenue K, LancasterNovember 20, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Antelope Valley College – Student Lounge
3041 W. Avenue K, LancasterNovember 20, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Christ Our Savior United Methodist Church
5027 W. Avenue M, Quartz HillNovember 23, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Faith Chapel North Church
45212 7th St. E, LancasterNovember 30, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Opportunities for Learning
270 E. Palmdale Blvd., PalmdaleNovember 30, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Opportunities for Learning
1160 Commerce Center Dr., LancasterDecember 2, 8:00am – 2:00pm
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
1600 E. Avenue R-4, Palmdale,December 4, 3:30pm – 8:30pm
Lancaster High School
44701 32nd St. W, Lancaster
DONATE
The response to Sandy is likely to be the biggest Red Cross response in the United States in the past five years. To help, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
You can also use the “donate” feature on the free Red Cross Apps to support the Red Cross relief response. Contributions can also be sent to the Antelope Valley Chapter at 2715 E. Avenue P, Palmdale, CA 93550.
VOLUNTEER
There are volunteer opportunities available to suit a variety of interests, from field response to office work. Volunteering with the Red Cross helps the Antelope Valley develop its capacity to respond if disaster strikes at home. If you are interested in volunteering, go to http://redcrossla.org/volunteers/4-lets-get-started or call the local office at 661-267-0650.
PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
One of the major lessons of Superstorm Sandy is that everyone needs to prepare for that really bad day, says Antelope Valley Red Cross Board Chair Anne Ambrose.
“While we occasionally have inclement weather that impacts our area, what is more concerning are the events that won’t give us warning, such as a major earthquake or wild fire,” Ambrose said. “That is why it is critically important that everyone have a plan for themselves and their family and have emergency supplies on hand to help sustain them through the initial days or even weeks of a disaster.”
The Red Cross offers classes and has materials available to help both individuals and businesses plan for disasters. To sign up for local class, visit redcross.org/take-a-class. For a library of preparedness materials, visit www.PrepareSocal.org.
There is also a private effort underway to help victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Read more here.
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