Pen Air FCU Starts Campaign to Help Hurricane Isaac Victims
PENSACOLA, Fla., and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the
destruction brought by Hurricane Isaac in the Southeast, Pen Air Federal Credit
Union is collecting monetary donations for the relief efforts of the American
Red Cross, which is deploying significant resources to the region.
Officials indicated funds will be collected at all Pen Air
FCU locations during the next two weeks. They indicated this timeframe may be
extended depending on the trends of donations as well as the needs of the
American Red Cross.
"Our local area is lucky to be spared the devastation of a
direct hit from this storm, but it is our duty to help those closely affected
by Isaac," Pen Air FCU president and chief executive officer Stewart Ramsey
said.
"Pen Air Federal Credit Union understands the mission of the
Red Cross, and hopes our community will respond in helping support that
mission," Ramsey continued.
Ramsey added all funds collected will be sent directly to
the American Red Cross to use in its relief efforts in the aftermath of
Hurricane Isaac.
Pen Air FCU has 19 branches in Northwest Florida and
Southeast Alabama, including four student-run branches at local area high
schools.
Red Cross officials indicated they sent more than 2,400 disaster
workers to the region earlier in the week, opening evacuation shelters and
providing relief supplies for those affected by Isaac in several states along
the Gulf.
Nearly 190 Red Cross
emergency response vehicles — almost 80 percent of the Red Cross fleet — have
been deployed or put on alert to help. The Red Cross has also:
—Pre-positioned or moved a total of 290,000 ready-to-eat
meals into the area.
—Rolled out mobile kitchens and kitchen support trailers to the
region, and kitchen and feeding efforts are being coordinated with our partner,
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.
—Brought trailers of relief supplies to pre-positioned spots in
the area, and the organization has sent thousands of additional supplies into
the area — things such as clean up and personal hygiene items, cots, blankets,
coolers, shovels, rakes, tarps, gloves and masks.
The Red Cross said Isaac is expected to have caused
widespread wind and flooding damage across the region.
Beyond the campaign by Pen Air FCU, the Red Cross pointed
out People can click or text to donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling
1-800-RED CROSS or (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10
donation.