As the holidays draw near, people are making plans to enjoy the season with their loved ones. For many, this is a happy time filled with festive gatherings, good food and gifts. But for those in need, the holiday season can be a difficult time. This holiday season, the Red Cross is asking Montanans to remember those in need by giving with meaning. “Make this holiday season especially meaningful by lending a hand to people who are struggling,” says Diane Wright, Executive Director of Montana Red Cross. “By supporting the Red Cross, you can bring help and hope to a local family that lost everything in a home fire; you can help someone who urgently needs blood; and you can provide comfort to a wounded member of the military when they return home after a deployment.”
Wright adds that the Red Cross usually sees a spike in home fires during the winter months, especially during the holidays. “When the temperatures drop and people spend more time inside, the potential for starting fires increases significantly,” she explains. “During the winter months, our volunteers respond to a home fire somewhere in our state almost every day, providing emergency shelter, food, clothing, and other services to families who have lost everything. This is the time of year when the support of Montanans matters most. ”
How You Can Help
The American Red Cross is making it easier than ever to give a meaningful—and enduring—gift of support through our Holiday Gift Catalog. A catalog gift enables both the gift-giver and the receiver to experience the joy of giving through a wide selection of symbolic gifts. Here are some of the most popular selections:
A donation of $15 provides blankets as well as warmth and a sense of security to three people impacted by a disaster.
A $25 contribution supplies comfort kits to 10 military service members.
A $30 gift provides a clean-up kit to help a family put their lives in order after a fire or flood.
A $50 donation pays for a full day at an emergency shelter-- including 3 meals, 2 blankets, 1 cot, snacks and personal hygiene supplies--for someone impacted by disaster.
A $100 donation can supply one family with an emergency kit to make it through the first few weeks following a disaster.
A $500 gift can provide food, clothing and a place to stay for one family after a home fire.
To access the catalog online, visit redcross.org/gifts. Choose from the diverse assortment of symbolic gifts, and make a tax-deductible donation online. Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405.
Other ways to Help
Two other important ways to help this holiday season is by signing up to volunteer or by donating blood. Visit redcross.org today!
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