Local Red Cross workers assist hurricane victims

American Red Cross volunteers and employees from the area recently headed south to help Floridians deal with Hurricane Frances. Becky Burlew, of Belmar and Al Benedetti, of Brick, are there doing disaster assessment; Al Figueroa, of Howell, is helping with satellite communications; Phyllis Stern, of Brick, is helping process Family Services requests; and Leo Pratte, of Neptune, and Dennis and Denise Texter, of Manahawkin, are working in mass care. Hurricanes Charley and Frances is the largest shelter operation in Florida in American Red Cross history. They have sheltered almost 300,000 people and served nearly one-half million meals and snacks. There are over 5,000 Red Cross workers currently deployed for this job and, so far, they have utilized almost 14,000 workers.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters.

Those interested in donating should call (800) HELP NOW or (800) 257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.