Donate

Just last year we had two major hurricanes, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, strike our community. It is estimated that 2,500 South Mississippians sought refuge in Red Cross shelters in the days surrounding the hurricanes' landfall. At the height of the response, our local chapter had over 60 people from all over the country, in addition to local volunteers, assisting with shelter management, damage assessment, case management and the distribution of provisions such as food, water and clean up kits. There were a total of 25 emergency response vehicles sent to this area to provide this assistance to individuals in damaged neighborhoods.

While we provide the means for recovery, our work is only possible because of caring supporters like you. Thank you for supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross.

Send a donation to: Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter P.O. Box 4514 Biloxi, MS 39535-4514 Call: 228-896-4511

 

A Little Goes a Long Way

$25 will provide 5 blankets for South Mississippians who will seek refuge at a Red Cross emergency shelter during the next hurricane.
$50 will provide comfort kits for 25 Keesler Airmen who will deploy overseas this fall.
$100 will provide hot meals for 10 people who will be displaced from their homes in a low elevation area because of flooding.
$200 will provide a family of 4 from Harrison, Hancock or Pearl River County with a week’s worth of groceries after a fire will destroy their home this holiday season.

 

Why Donate?

A vital Red Cross Chapter is more than a source of support for neighbors and friends in need; it is a sign of a strong and capable community.  There is no disputing that many valuable lessons were learned from Katrina; first and foremost, there is no underestimating the importance of a plan, a team and cooperation.  This organization's staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to address the emergency needs of post-Katrina South Mississippi.   But disasters are problems that won't go away in a day, a week, a year, or perhaps ever. 
 
We would like to ask you to consider a donation to Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross in your budget this year.  Your financial support will help to ensure the Red Cross has the capacity – the resources, infrastructure and talent – to continue helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Your contribution will have a direct impact on the strength and efficiency of the emergency operation network of South Mississippi. 
 
In this, our 90th year, we witnessed why our local Red Cross is necessary now more than ever. 

• We assisted 115 families left homeless due to fire. 

• We helped 619 families of elderly & disabled pay their utility bills.

• We relayed 284 emergency communications between our troops abroad and their families here on the Coast.

• We trained 6,644 citizens in lifesaving skills such as CPR, first aid and water safety.

• We met our blood collection goals for all twelve months, breaking a national record!

• The National Red Cross established a 50,000 square feet supply reserve warehouse in Hattiesburg, MS to house emergency and essential provisions year-round.

• We increased our corps of disaster volunteers by 50%, building our capacity to respond better and quicker to disasters of any size or type.

• Through our National Hurricane Recovery Program, we helped thousands of families move back into their homes and get on the path to recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
    

We do not receive funding support from the National Red Cross relief effort for these programs and services.  The Red Cross in this community is your source for safety before, during and after life's critical situations. We're here for you and we can't do it without you.  Through your financial investment, you become part of this lifesaving work.

Clara Barton Donor Dollars at Work

 
A gift of $1,000 will allow us to provide:

• 11 training courses, such as client casework, psychological first aid, disaster assessment and shelter operations, for our local volunteers.
• 40 emergency communications for men and women fighting for our country abroad and their loved ones here on the Coast.
• 20 disaster victims and response volunteers with water and a hot meal.
• Shoes and clothing for 5 families (of four) in South MS that will lose their home to a fire or other disaster next year.
• Roof repairs for 1 storm damaged homes.
• Recruit, train and retain 10 local disaster response volunteers.