Gardner Donates Birthday Gifts for Hurricane Sandy

When Claire Gardner of Wellsville wanted to have a birthday party, she did not want her friends to bring gifts. Gardner decided that instead of gifts she would collect donations for the American Red Cross to help those in need in New York and New Jersey. Together, Claire and her 11 friends raised $130 for Hurricane Sandy Relief.

Thanks to the generous support like that from Claire and her friends, the American Red Cross has provided food, shelter, relief supplies, and comfort to thousands of people impacted by Sandy. The Red Cross has served more than 8.8 million meals and snacks and handing out more than 6.6 million relief items, including cold weather items and clean-up supplies. The Red Cross also provided more than 101,000 health services and emotional support contacts for people who have been living in very tough conditions. Over 15,800 trained workers have been mobilized to help people affected by Sandy.

Over a month has passed since Hurricane Sandy came to shore, but residents are still staying in shelters and looking to clean-up and start their lives over again. Any funds donated for Hurricane Sandy beyond what is needed for emergency relief will be put to use service the long-term needs of communities and individuals affected by this disaster.

To make a financial donation to Hurricane Sandy visit www.redcross.org/swny , text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation; or mail or hand deliver a donation to  your local Red Cross office at 542 North Barry St. in Olean, 325 East 4^th St. in Jamestown, or at 112 North Main Street, Wellsville. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.