KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- As you prepare to start that holiday shopping, the Red Cross- North Central Missouri Chapter ask you to keep those who are less fortunate in mind.
Their 'Gifts that Save the Day' Holiday-Giving Campaign kicked off Nov. 17, and people all around the world are now able to log-on to www.redcross.org and pick an item out of the gift-catalog to purchase for the Red Cross.
"The Holiday-Giving Campaign is one opportunity for people to support what the Red Cross does, both locally and across the world," said Deane Valkenaar, Red Cross- North Central Missouri Chapter.
These gifts include a phone card or supplies for someone in the military, food and shelter for disaster victim, snacks for a blood-drive, and much more.
"Times are tough, and they're tough for the Red Cross, too," said Valkenaar. "Last year we responded to 48 family fires. Every one of those individuals suffered a loss and had to start over again. We help them do that."
But, when times are tough, and many of us are struggling to give to our own families, why give to those you do not know?
"When you get a family that's lossed everything.. I know times are gough, but when you lose everything, it gets a little tougher, and a lot of the people we work with are low-income, uninsured individuals who are renting, so when there's a fire in the house, they're facing homelessness sometimes," said Valkenaar.
A March banquet will be hosted in honor of those who donate $500 or more, or for those who go above and beyond in their service and donations. To nominate someone in your community who you think deserves to be honored as a "Hometown Hero," just visit www.redcross.org.
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