This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Red Cross. All opinions are 100% mine.
September 10, 2017 was a long and terrifying night. As Hurricane Irma blew through Central Florida, I laid in bed, wide-away holding my infant baby by the light of a flashlight and clutching the handheld radio. As the storm grew closer the wind howl outside. It was the loudest storm I’ve ever heard, and I wondered all night when it would end and what might happen.
When morning came, we were lucky — extremely lucky. Water, branches and debris littered our yard, but no damage to our home.
We only lost power for about 24 hours, while others just down the road lost it for days or weeks. Trees were down all over the area and many roads were at first impassable. But slowly, neighbors ventured out of their homes to asses the damage, and as they did we watched them work together to help clear roads and yards of fallen trees and limbs.
Hurricanes are part of life in Florida, but having lived here my whole life – I’ve never experienced anything like that night. As terrified as we were, I can’t even imagine the fear and pain of the many Floridians and Puerto Ricans who lost everything that week.
In the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, everyone saw tragic images on the news of the devastation. It seems almost unbelievable to see pictures of rubble where a building you once visited stood only hours before.
American Red Cross Giving Day
When disaster strikes, Americans turn to the American Red Cross to provide aid. In fact every eight minutes, the American Red Cross meets a family that has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster—the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions.
But you can help during those first devastating hours. Your gift of $88.50 can provide a family with a day’s worth of food, plus blankets and other essentials.
In the wake of major disasters we often sit in our homes and wonder how we can possible help when destruction is on such a large-scale. Alone we can’t, but together we can. By supporting the American Red Cross with a financial donation, even a small one, the organization can mount a large effort to make a giant impact.
The campaign hashtag for Giving Day is #help1family. It is a great reminder that your donation can help one family, and that makes all the difference in the world for that family.
On March 28, unite with thousands of people like you on American Red Cross Giving Day to make a difference. If we each #help1family, think of what we could do.
Although a storm like Irma or Harvey is a huge motivator, you don’t have to wait for disaster to strike to contribute to the American Red Cross. Financial assistance is always needed. Give now so the American Red Cross can be ready to mobilize when the next family needs its help. Visit redcross.org/givingday to learn more about how you can be part of the American Red Cross Giving Day and #help1family.