American Red Cross Secures $100,000 in Matching Gifts for Southwest Florida Community Challenge

This holiday season, when economic conditions are tough and people really want their gifts to matter, the American Red Cross of Southwest Florida’s Holiday Community Challenge gives donors the chance to see their gift doubled. The Red Cross has secured $100,000 in matching funds from a group of leadership donors who will match gifts to the organization between November 15 and the end of 2011.

The American Red Cross is working very hard to seek donations now so the organization can provide help and hope when people need it most. Each year, the Southwest Florida Red Cross must raise over $600,000 to prepare for and respond to disasters throughout our community. In the last year there were approximately 200 disaster responses in Southwest Florida alone. These times remind us of what’s really important, and a gift to the Red Cross to help people facing their worst moments is a way to show the best of what our community can offer.

Community Challenge matching funds were secured from generous individuals, foundations and businesses and  include Eugene and Anne Beckstein, Cookie Boudreaux, Kathleen Burgdorf Foundation Fund, the Cobb Family Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Mosaic, and the Slater-Kassan Charitable Fund. 

“We know that these are difficult times for many families and businesses in our community, but the Red Cross has seen that when Americans are in need, America always responds,” said Megarie van Sickel, CEO. “While the Community Challenge is an innovative way to make a difference while seeing your gift doubled, the leadership giving provided by the matching cabinet is the cornerstone to the success of the campaign.”

The vital funds are used to support the work of the local American Red Cross.  For example, every $1,000 raised provides:

• Three nights of temporary housing for four families who have lost their homes due to a disas­ter
• Clean up kits for 54 families who have experienced flood or storm damage to their homes
• Shoes and clothing for two families of four who have lost their homes to a fire or a natural dis­aster
• Twenty cots or 167 blankets for disaster victims who must spend the night in a shelter
• Groceries for five families of four for a week

To make a gift to support the Red Cross Community Challenge, donors can visit www.FlwestcoastRedCross.org/CommunityChallenge or visit their local Red Cross branch. To donate by phone, call (941) 379-9300.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross in Southwest Florida shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.

• Last year, the Southwest Florida Chapter responded to an average of one disaster every 3 days and provided immediate relief services.
• The local Red Cross provided emergency communication services in 588 cases for members of the Armed Services and their families
• Over 95% of the work performed by the Red Cross in Southwest Florida is done by volunteers.
• An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.
• On average 15,000 in Southwest Florida receive training in lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid each year.

For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.FLWestcoastRedCross.org or call (941) 379-9300.