Help the Red Cross Help Greensburg, Kansas

The news of the catastrophic tornado in Greensburg has caused us all to stop and take a breath, to pray for all of those families in a terrible time, and to wonder just what we could do to help. Well, if it has not already crossed your mind, consider contacting the Red Cross and doing what you can. The following is an excerpt from their website. Read it, then do what you can. I do not know who coined the phrase, but “give until it feels good.” You will be glad you did, and you know it will help.

WASHINGTON, Saturday, May 05, 2007 — A deadly tornado struck southwestern Kansas Friday night, destroying most of the town of Greensburg. As local officials continue search and rescue efforts in Greensburg, KS, the American Red Cross is preparing safe shelter, food and relief services for those affected by the tornado.
Red Cross staff, volunteers, emergency response vehicles (ERVs) and mobile feeding units are mobilizing from Red Cross Chapters across Kansas to help their neighbors in need. Red Cross workers have set up emergency shelters in the affected Kansas counties, providing food, water and other services.

Due to widespread power and telecommunication outages, family and friends may not be able to reach each other. If you have been affected by the tornado, please visit www.redcross.org and click on Safe and Well to inform your loved ones of your well-being. This secure website provides a way for you to identify yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those you want to communicate to your family members - who may be worried about your safety. If you hear from a loved one in the affected area, you can input their information so other family members will also know their well-being.

As with any other Red Cross service or product, Safe and Well safeguards the privacy of disaster victims and protects their information according to privacy law standards. Messages – but not locations – will be viewable by friends and family. The Red Cross recommends that people affected should determine how best to communicate their contact information and whereabouts to family members. During the initial hours of this disaster it is important to stay connected with loved ones. Take action now by visiting www.redcross.org.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

You may have heard local attorney Charles Herd on CNN by now. Lawyers, reach out to your fellow attorneys (and families) in Greensburg: Charles H. Herd, Candace R. Lattin & Eric W. Marshall. You know what they say about a friend, in need.