AMERICAN RED CROSS ASSISTS VICTIMS OF BUS CRASH IN SOLEDAD
Wednesday, April 29, 2009-- The Monterey-San Benito Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided shelter, food and disaster mental health counseling to approximately 20 people as the result of the tragic tour bus accident that took place in Soledad yesterday. Tuesday evening the Chapter dispatched four disaster volunteers to Soledad to provide meals, snacks and beverages to 50 emergency personnel tasked with cleaning up the scene. Wednesday morning the Chapter rallied its disaster mental health volunteers to meet with approximately 20 people to determine their mental health needs after witnessing such a harrowing tragedy. The Red Cross has been overwhelmed with offers of assistance and wishes to convey its appreciation to the community for the generous outpouring of support.
Red Cross volunteers are interviewing each family unit to determine their immediate needs and to provide appropriate services to them. The Chapter provided shelter, food, personal hygiene items and teddy bears to the survivors and will be meeting emerging needs and developing plans to to meet those needs in the days to come. The Red Cross is also making efforts to put survivors in contact with their loved ones here and in France.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, a gift of the American people. The Monterey-San Benito Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross is not a government agency and receives no national, federal or even local United Way Funding. The Chapter relies totally upon the generosity of the local community to exist. Those interested in supporting the work of the local chapter to help families like these and others recover when disaster strikes are encouraged to make a monetary contribution to the Chapter’s Local Disaster Relief fund by calling 424-4824 in Salinas, 375-5730 in Monterey or 636-2100 in Hollister. Internet users may log onto the Chapter’s website at www.montereyarc.org to make a secure online contribution.
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