American Red Cross of South Carolina

Updated 9/29/24: RED CROSS - GET HELP: ?? Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) ?? To find a shelter: redcross.org/shelter and redcross.org/refugios ???? Disaster Distress Helpline call or text 1-800-985-5990. RED CROSS - HOW TO HELP: ??To donate: https://rdcrss.org/3TMljHa and redcross.org/donar ??To donate blood: redcross.org/blood and https://lnkd.in/d3SdZVg ? To volunteer: redcross.org/volunteer and redcross.org/voluntarios ?? Offers to donate goods: Financial donations are the quickest and best way to support people impacted by disasters. Your financial donation to the Red Cross helps provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, comfort, financial assistance and other support to those in need after disasters. SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY INFORMATION: South Carolina Emergency Management Division: https://www.scemd.org/ SCEMD Open Shelters: https://lnkd.in/e9gyhmv Road Conditions: Call 511 or visit https://lnkd.in/e6grQyGV UNITED WAY 211 & COMMUNITY RESOURCES: For those needing additional assistance, please dial 2-1-1, or visit SC 211's website: https://www.sc211.org/#/

The Red Cross of South Carolina has moved into the disaster assessment phase of relief efforts after Hurricane Helene ripped through the Palmetto State, toppling trees, damaging homes and downing power lines. Red Cross volunteers Cheri Lundblad, Ann Woodside and Kim Skunza recently spent the day taking photos and recording details of damaged homes in Spartanburg neighborhoods. Skunza, a local volunteer from Greenville, said she enjoys the work because it’s “contributing forward,” and helping people on the road to recovery after such a devastating storm. Disaster assessment data collected by volunteers like Cheri, Ann and Kim is used by the Red Cross to continue to connect people affected by the storm with recovery resources, including financial assistance. Woodside, who came to volunteer for the day from Rock Hill, said it’s incredible to see massive, old growth trees uprooted in neighborhood after neighborhood. She’s seen some where the tree missed a house by inches when it fell. Yet others crashed through a home ‘like a knife through butter.’ “This [disaster assessment] is letting people know the Red Cross is here for them,” said Woodside. “I like being out and about, and visible in neighborhoods, this way people know the Red Cross is here and ready to support.” Recovery from this storm will be a long process, and the Red Cross stands ready to help South Carolina residents get back on their feet in the weeks and months to come. If you need disaster assistance, please visit RedCross.org/Helene or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Pictured: Red Cross volunteer Kim Skunza of Greenville takes photos of a damaged car and homes in Spartanburg this week for Red Cross disaster assessment. Photo by Bethany Bray Patterson

“I have been certified before, so I wanted to have the updated certification.” American Red Cross employees, including Clifton Davis, took part in a CPR Training and Certification course. The group learned the proper way to perform CPR, the correct technique for chest compressions, and when CPR should be performed on a patient. Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency. Visit redcross.org for online, in-person and blended courses and don’t forget to download the free American Red Cross First Aid app and activate the Red Cross First Aid Skill for Alexa-enabled devices.

“I really appreciate y’all coming out today. Hurricane Helene destroyed the whole inside, electrical, plumbing, the whole roof. We can’t live in my home because the city has deemed it as unlivable.” Andrew Perza lives in Spartanburg. He recently experienced significant home damage due to Hurricane Helene. Today, our American Red Cross disaster assessment volunteers came out to look at Andrew’s property and help him and his family figure out the next steps in their recovery.

Don't let the blood supply fall! Patients count on blood donors for lifesaving care. In thanks, get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email when you come give with the Red Cross Oct. 1-31 + get a shot at a $5K gift card! Book: https://lnkd.in/gNXJtnbD (T&C; other entry)

As you consider your end of the year giving, gifts of stock or gifts from your IRA may provide the greatest tax savings when making your charitable gifts. ?? Gifts of appreciated stock can be one of the best, tax-wise ways to give because you may save twice. If you itemize, you receive a tax deduction and you also avoid capital gains. ?? Also, with most of our IRAs invested in the market, donors age 70? may wish to consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from their IRAs now. If you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD), a QCD meets that requirement and QCD is excluded as taxable income. ?? It may be great to consider a gift of appreciated real estate, such as income property or second home. Your gift can be outright or via a charitable trust providing lifetime income and significant tax savings. We can help you make the best tax-wise gifts that benefits your family and supports our important work.

WCBD News 2 | Count on 2: The Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help with assessing the damage Helene left to homes across the Upstate and Western North Carolina. Red Cross representatives are asking for volunteers to commit to an hour of training, and then go into neighborhoods to take pictures of damaged homes. Representatives said the volunteers would submit the pictures and the location where they were taken to the Red Cross Mobile App. Learn more:

“The Red Cross has been a blessing to us during our time of need, this shows that people care.” Gregg Brown, Mayor of Ninety Six, SC is grateful for the Red Cross’s presence after Hurricane Helene rocked his community. Our disaster-trained volunteers provided cases of water, ready-to-eat meals, shovels, clean-up kits with garbage bags, bleach, and other items to community members impacted by Hurricane Helene. Read Mayor Brown’s story here: https://lnkd.in/eiPTc9fe

It’s been over two weeks since Hurricane Helene’s destruction began in the southeast. More than 2,100 trained American Red Cross responders are helping people impacted by the storm as they clean up their homes and plan their next steps. Since Helene’s landfall, the Red Cross has supported impacted South Carolinians by serving over 76,000 meals, distributing 5,000+ emergency supplies, and providing nearly 1,700 overnight stays along with our partners. People affected by these disasters need urgent help now, and we can’t do this alone. You can help by making a financial donation, an appointment to give blood or platelets, or signing up to become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The American Red Cross is beginning the damage assessment process for people in South Carolina impacted by Helene and we need your help. Can you spare a day to help your community? Please email [email protected] to sign up.