PITTSBURGH--- The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter received $5,000 from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania to support its Disaster Services and Armed Forces Emergency Services programs.

Disasters can happen quickly and without warning. The local Red Cross responds to a disaster---typically single-family house fires---nearly once a day. The grant from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania will assist with funding provision of immediate disaster-caused needs and the necessary equipment and supplies for the chapter’s staff and volunteers to perform efficient service delivery.

Emergencies also affect the military families in our communities. When family emergencies strike and a loved one is serving in the military, establishing communications is vital to the family’s recovery. The Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services program creates the link for the family and provides the required verification of the emergency to the military to facilitate potential emergency leave. Each year, more than 1,000 families rely on this service.

"We are grateful for the gift from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania that will help us fulfill our mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies," said Red Cross CEO T.L. (Tim) Tassone. "These monies can be used to provide the necessary assistance to help families get back on their feet in the days after a disaster. They also will be essential to providing the link with our military families on the home front and service men and women worldwide."

Aliquippa, PA---July 9, 2007--- The American Red Cross has opened a service center to provide assistance to the hundreds of individuals affected by last week’s flooding that struck the southern half of Beaver County.

Red Cross volunteers will be stationed at the Aliquippa Elementary School, 800 21st Street, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day until further notice. Families affected by the flooding may be able to get help from the Red Cross by visiting this service center and talking with a Red Cross worker. No appointment is needed. Affected individuals are asked to bring a form of identification and proof of residence.

To date, Red Cross workers have helped 114 families affected by this flooding; assistance has been in the form of financial help for food, clothing or a safe place to stay.

Over the weekend, teams of Red Cross volunteers canvassed neighborhoods to assess the flood’s damage on residential homes, a task that will help the Red Cross understand the depth and breadth of its response over the coming days and weeks.

It is estimated that nearly 150 families may qualify for Red Cross assistance, and that number may change as further assessment is completed.

Red Cross volunteers have also delivered more than 400 meals and snacks in the affected neighborhoods and have provided ‘clean-up kits’ to families cleaning up after the flooding. A Red Cross ‘clean-up kit’ includes useful items such as: a bucket, mop, brooms, gloves, and cleaning supplies.

You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or send contributions to the Beaver-Lawrence Chapter of the American Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online donation by visiting www.redcross.org.

Aliquippa, Pa.---July 11, 2007---The American Red Cross service center located at the Aliquippa Elementary School (800 21st Street in Aliquippa) is changing its hours to 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Sunday only.  The center's hours will resume to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, July 16.

PITTSBURGH---July 3, 2007---This morning, a volunteer from the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, will fly to Oklahoma to assist individuals and families affected by the devastating flooding that struck over the last week. The local Red Cross contacted its disaster volunteer base to update their availabilities in advance of more potential deployments.

Andrew Dent of Wilkinsburg will fly to Oklahoma as a national Red Cross disaster responder where his duties will center around the bulk distribution of supplies. Disaster assignments are for 2-3 weeks.

When disasters (such as the Oklahoma flooding) occur and surpass the capabilities of the local affected Red Cross chapters, the national Red Cross disaster responder system is enacted and volunteers from all over the United States can be deployed to help.