Growing need

Dear Editor,

The holidays are a time to come together — not just as family and friends, but also as a community.

With NOAA data showing that 2024 is our country’s second-highest year of billion-dollar disasters — such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton — many people won’t be able to spend the holidays at home. For thousands, this year’s disasters reduced their homes to rubble, leaving them to seek refuge at an emergency shelter, in temporary housing or at a loved one’s.

But there’s hope, thanks to volunteers and donors, whose support through the American Red Cross is helping people to rebuild their lives with aid such as providing a safe place to stay, food, emotional support and recovery assistance. I was proud to be part of the more than 100 Red Crossers from our region who deployed to the Southeast to help people affected by these hurricanes.

The need for this help is growing, amid the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters. Today, we’re responding to twice as many major U.S. disasters as we did a decade ago — all on top of local, everyday crises like home fires that are no less heartbreaking. In 2024, the Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross helped more than 500 people after local disasters.

With no signs of the climate crisis slowing down, people are depending on all of us to be there with support when the next disaster strikes.

We cannot do it alone. Join us by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation.

A gift of $50 provides a full day of food and shelter for a neighbor in need.

You can also give the gift of lifesaving blood or time helping others. In 2024, more than 200 people volunteered their time to support our Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. From the bottom of my heart – thank you to everyone who has supported our mission in 2024. Your contributions make a difference.

Mary Rogers,

Executive director, American Red Cross Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter,

Erie