Dear Breck,
NOVEMBER 2, 2007
For nearly two weeks, massive wildfires have been blazing across Southern California, reducing homes to ashes, threatening lives, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Some of these fires are still burning.

Our Red Cross workers were among the first on the scene with supplies and support. Evacuated families, firefighters and other first responders were met by Red Cross workers with essential relief - food, water, shelter, blankets, mental health counseling and other critical assistance. The American Red Cross has provided more than 24,000 overnight stays in our shelters, and nearly 492,000 hot meals and snacks.

Our disaster response teams remain on the scene helping these families pick up the pieces. We're also working with community partners to identify resources to aid in the long-term recovery of all those affected by the wildfires.

Your response was immediate, and we appreciate your support of our critical mission. The Red Cross has now covered its expected costs to respond to the California wildfires. Thank you for everything you did to support this massive effort.

We know that someone turns to the Red Cross for help every single day. That’s why we’re committed to always being there at a moment's notice. Our immediate response requires that we have trained Red Cross volunteers and workers, pre-positioned supplies and the resources and ability to deliver them without fail. We are able to do our work only due to the generosity of the American public every day. These necessary funds allow us to respond with lifesaving relief, supplies, care and comfort.

Your support helps us keep our promise to prevent suffering and prepare people for all of life’s emergencies. We must be ready. Together, we will be ready.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Loehr
Sr. Vice President, American Red Cross

P.S. Visit www.redcross.org for continuing updates on the Wildfires relief effort, personal stories and the other news, tips and updates.