A look back: Red Cross says it will lend helping hand
This story originally appeared in the Sept. 12, 2001, edition of The Sun.
The American Red Cross is doing its part to assist in the aftermath of Tuesday's attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., according to A.J. Mosqueda, the American Red Cross supervisor for Yuma County.
“Our role here is make the public aware we are here and are partnering with other Red Cross units around the country,” Mosqueda said. “We want to be here for victims of this disaster wherever they may be. With regard to assistance, we are ready and able to deploy 50,000 units of blood to all of the affected communities. If that does occur, we will have to replenish the blood supply. We are not at an urgent level by any means right now.”
Mosqueda said the American Red Cross can also help in locating family members who might be in the New York City or Washington, D.C. areas, whether they are military or civilian.
“If you have an immediate family member who was on a flight or employed with one of those facilities and have not had any contact with them, we will work with the Red Cross in that area to check on the status of that person,” she said.
American Red Cross volunteers from around the country have been sent to the sites of destruction, Mosqueda said. A volunteer couple from Yuma is out of town on vacation; however, they could still be sent to help, she said.
Mosqueda said the American Red Cross is accepting donations to benefit those affected by the terrorist act; cash is considered the best donation because the needs are still being assessed. It also takes a lot of time to clean, sort and ship items such as blankets and clothing, she said.
Contributions should be directed to the National Disaster Relief and can be dropped off at the local office, 1265 S. 5th Ave.
