Written by Mason Booth, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

July 9, 2003 � Over recent months, the role of provider has been reversed for the American Red Cross. The organization known for rushing aid to more than 600,000 disaster victims each year is now in need of its own assistance as finances from its Disaster Relief Fund have reached a critical low.

The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to deliver critical emergency relief to thousands of disaster victims each year. You can help the Red Cross continue these crucial services by making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund today.

The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to deliver many of the organization�s critical services. It�s through the fund that those affected by disasters receive shelter, food, water and a shoulder to lean on as they regain their footing in life.

The fund is not a reserve, though, and needs to be constantly replenished by donations to ensure that the Red Cross can rush disaster relief anywhere in the nation at any time.

This fiscal year, the account has been steadily drained by hundreds of small but costly disasters. These �silent disasters�, such as residential fires, often go unnoticed by national media and, therefore, do not generate financial contributions. While their scale may seem small compared to larger natural disasters, the impact is just as devastating to the families affected and the need for Red Cross assistance is equally vital.

On June 30, 2003, the Disaster Relief Fund reached its lowest point in 15 years with a cash balance of only $1.5 million.

"If you think about the Disaster Relief Fund as a tank of gas, we are literally running on fumes," said Marsha Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

To put the need in perspective: a safe amount in the fund is $56 million. With the most disaster-prone seasons approaching, it�s crucial the fund be rejuvenated now.

�Hurricane season has just begun and the height of wildfire season is approaching,� said Terry Sicilia, Executive Vice President of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross. �Those are both major disaster threats. Last year, the Red Cross spent $15.8 million responding to Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Isidore and $8.1 million on the western wildfires. Those were just a few of the high visibility disasters that people heard about. Disasters happen every day that don�t make national headlines, but the Red Cross always responds with the same urgency.�

Help Now Before It�s Too Late

Disasters can occur in any community, any time - they don�t discriminate. The Red Cross responds to these disasters each day across the United States, regardless of the community's ability to raise funds. It is through donations that the public can help ensure their neighborhoods are safer and that the Red Cross will be there to help when disasters hit home.

The American Red Cross is, at its heart, an organization made up of the public, for the public - a nationwide network of neighbor helping neighbor.

�To provide relief to disaster victims in this country, we rely on donations from the public,� said Evans. �Now, more than ever, we are relying on the American people to donate the funds that make it possible for us to help those in need."

The need to replenish this low cash balance will force the Red Cross to consider which disaster services the American Red Cross must curtail.

You can help prevent that and support the American Red Cross by making a financial donation today. To donate, call 1-800-HELP NOW, or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Donations can also be mailed to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Secure online donations can be made here.

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So my date with Enoch last night went well (and that is how you spell his name. I guess if I read my bible, I would know these things). I must say, he is really a sweetie-pie. Well, that or he�s really adept at pretending to be one. I�m kind of withholding judgment until after we have sex (assuming that we will, one day).

We had a nice time. We just met up at the bar/restaurant we went to the other night. We were going to have dinner, but neither of us was actually hungry so we just had a few drinks and chatted; both with ourselves and with others at the bar. Well, OK, we also smooched for a nice long while. That�s always fun.

The only major drawback I can see right now is that he�s a�*gulp*�REPUBLICAN!

I jest, of course. It�s not like his being Republican is going to keep me from dating him. He actually thinks about politics, which is always a good thing, even if you�re completely WRONG in your opinions. :) I�d rather you be WRONG than not think at all.

I�ve dated Republicans before, but actually not one who has such strong opinions that are completely WRONG. I think we have to completely avoid any sort of political discussions in future. Believe it or not, I can do that�sometimes�

There are a few other things that give me pause, but most of them I can�t really put a finger on. Call it instinct, I guess. I�m not saying these things have ruled him out for me at all; I�m just saying they exist.

Something I can put my finger on, though: He was divorced only 7 months ago and that just seems like it could be too fresh a wound. He was also only married for six months. Now, normally that would show such flakiness that I would totally back off. However, it turned out his wife was not only an alcoholic (which he had no idea about until after they were married), but also a lesbian. You know, I really don�t think there was much he could do to make that marriage last any longer, once she figured out that little detail.

He is a total sweetheart, though, and very affectionate which is just plain groovy. And, aside from political opinions, we have some things in common. Oh, plus he actually likes my hair even though its been curly both times I've seen him. While this makes me question his judgment, it's also rather nifty.

All-in-all, a nice first real date.

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~~~~~~~~~~~peace, love and smooches~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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