JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hurricane season is a little more than three months away, but the Red Cross of Northeast Florida is collecting disaster relief donations now.
Wednesday marks the nonprofit’s 10th annual Giving Day, which encourages local communities to support the organization’s humanitarian efforts.
The Red Cross plays a huge role in keeping Jacksonville hurricane-ready before a storm strikes.
Each year, they hand out hundreds of Hurricane Preparedness Starter Buckets -- equipped with flashlights, cleaning supplies, and other essential items -- to people in flood zones.
Wendy, who lives on the Northside, received one and knows just how bad certain areas can get.
“I’ve been here 20 years. Hurricane Irma was the worst for my family,” Wendy said. “My mom, she lived where the old K-mart was on Lem Turner. It was bad up there.”
The Giving Day donations will support the Red Cross’ hurricane preparedness fund.
“We know when a hurricane impacts our community, we’re going to need funds in advance,” said Whitney Carney, chief development officer for the Red Cross of Northeast Florida. “We’re going to come in, we’re going to open that shelter, we’re going to provide that financial relief, and we’re going to provide that feeding, and we know that we’re going to need the funds in advance to make that happen.”
In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused devastating flooding in Northeast Florida, including in Riverside and Avondale.
The Red Cross reports spending more than $37 million on financial assistance for communities impacted in Florida and outside the state.
Carney said their goal is to keep showing up and providing essential resources.
“There’s so many people in our community that they don’t have the means to evacuate, maybe they don’t have the family outside of the region to go and evacuate to,” Carney said. “So, we say, ‘Don’t worry; we’ve got you.’”
The Red Cross is accepting monetary donations only.
You can donate by mail, by phone or online at the Red Cross of Northeast Florida’s website.
Donate by mail
Complete a donation form and send it to:
American Red Cross
PO Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839
Donate by phone
Call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).
You can also reach them at: Español: 1-800-435-7669 or TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095