Red Cross of Idaho Kicks Off Holiday Giving Campaign

BOISE, Idaho (KLIX) The American Red Cross has kicked off its end of year giving campaign to help those impacted by natural disasters and other life changing events. The

Red Cross is asking the public to give to its "Give Something That Means Something" this season. These are the three ways people can help this winter:

1. Gifts that help disaster victims: blankets, hot meals, or a full day of emergency shelter
2. Gifts that help our military: comfort kits for service members, therapy support programs for ill and injured service members, veterans, and their families
3. Gifts that help internationally: vaccinations to save children’s lives around the world

“It’s a gratifying feeling to bring help and hope to those who need it most,” says Nicole Sirak Irwin, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Idaho and Montana. “This year, while you enjoy the joys and blessings of the season with your loved ones, add a Red Cross gift to your list to spread some holiday joy.”

Even money donations can go a long way at helping people that need help.

• A donation of $25 can provide blankets—as well as warmth and a sense of security—for five people staying in emergency shelters, while a $75 contribution can show our heroes and veterans that we care by providing military comfort kits to 30 service members.

• A $30 gift can provide hot meals for three people following a disaster, while a $50 donation can supply a full day of emergency shelter with urgently needed essentials, including 3 meals, 2 blankets, 1 cot, snacks and personal hygiene supplies for someone impacted by disaster.

• A financial contribution of $100 can educate families and vaccinate 100 children against measles and rubella—while a $500 gift can vaccinate an entire village.

As always the Red Cross says blood is always needed. There are various ways to donate blood by heading over to their website at this LINK.

Thank you for donating to the Red Cross during this special time of year,” says Sirak Irwin. “Whether you give money, blood or time—your generous support will allow us to give something that means something to those in need.”

You can also make a donation to Red Cross Disaster relief by visiting redcross.org/idaho or by calling 1-800-853-2570. Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross of Idaho, 5380 W. Franklin Road, Boise, ID 83705. Your donation to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

Here is one of the ways the American Red Cross says it helps people in the time of crisis: