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Answers & Referrals from Red Cross for Public Inquiries
about the Santiago Canyon Wildfire
For a visual snapshot of Red Cross response to the Santiago Fires, click here.
For a list of major corporate donors to the Orange County Red Cross for the California wildfires and disaster relief, click here.
ORANGE COUNTY RED CROSS RESPONSE UPDATE:
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| The American Red Cross of Orange County activated its emergency operations center at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21. Volunteers and staff continue to coordinate the Chapter’s response to the devastating fire. |
October 31, 2007 - The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Orange County Red Cross has been open and fully operational since Sunday, October 21 at the onset of the devastating Southern California wildfires, whipped up by strong Santa Ana winds. Now, ten days later as the gap closes on containment of the Santiago fires in Orange County, the Orange County Fire Authority reports approximately 28,445 acres burned, eight residential structures damaged and fifteen destroyed, and mandatory evacuations still in place for some of the canyon areas.
Since the onset of the disaster, the Orange County Red Cross has opened four shelters at three sites – the Lakeview Senior Center in Irvine, El Toro High School in Lake Forest, and El Modena High School in Orange. Nearly 250 volunteers and staff have covered round-the-clock shifts at the EOC and Red Cross shelters to serve the evacuees. Red Cross shelters provide a safe haven where displaced residents and evacuees receive comfort and care, including cots, blankets, pillows, towels, wash cloths, food, snacks, beverages, shower facilities, recreational activities, health assessments, mental health assistance and more. Through Red Cross mass care, evacuees also received clothing through both “in-kind” donations and bulk purchases that were distributed to those in need at the shelters.
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| Red Cross volunteers Larry Fortmuller and Madison Burtchaell give California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a tour of the El Toro High School shelter on Oct. 24. |
As often happens in a disaster affecting so many constituents, the Orange County shelters had their share of high profile guests. The El Toro High School Shelter received special visits from Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and from the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In addition, individuals, organizations, and businesses rallied in a big way to provide financial assistance through Red Cross for the fire victims. Individual and corporate donations and pledges, employee matching gifts, in-kind contributions, cause-related marketing, and special events resulted in more than $1 million dollars to date collected or pledged for this effort from Orange County alone. The Samueli Foundation, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks donated $100,000 to launch a local fundraiser on October 26 in partnership with the American Red Cross, ABC7, KABC Talk Radio and KLOS, and the event netted $331,990 for Southern California wildfire relief. Red Cross volunteers and staff worked all day alongside Ducks coaches, staff and players, including captain Chris Pronger and defenseman Joe DiPenta, to collect the donations from community members.
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| Joe and Verbenia White, evacuees from the San Diego area, spent a happy moment with Minnie Mouse at the Orange County Red Cross’ El Toro High School shelter. |
When the relief effort moved into its second week, Red Cross volunteers began to conduct damage assessment of the affected areas to verify damage and losses. A client services center was opened at the chapter to provide direct assistance for those Orange County residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the fires. Through client services, funds are provided for verified losses for items such as food or groceries, shoes and clothing, bedding and linens, transportation (gasoline), medications or related health needs, storage containers, baby items and more. The funds are accessed through a client assistance card, which is used like a credit card at any vendor or store that accepts MasterCard.
As the shelter populations decline and shelters are slated for closing, Red Cross volunteers work with each individual family to ensure that they can return home or have other safe places to reside. Moving forward, for those clients with homes that were severely damaged or destroyed, Red Cross will provide funds for a security deposit, utility deposit, and the first month’s rent when other sources of funds are not available.
A powerful Red Cross message was articulated well by Amanda, a 6th grade friend who dropped off a letter dated 10/25/07 at the El Toro shelter for the evacuees: Dear Fire Evacuee, Have hope. I am so sorry! I’m sure you and your family will be just fine. The important thing is that you are ok! Some things in life will happen in life when we least expect it but we can get through this together.
• Red Cross Client Services (Location & Hours)
For those Orange County families with homes damaged or destroyed by the Santiago fire:
Red Cross Client Services are available at the Orange County Red Cross (601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, CA, 92705 – George M. Chitty Building) On Monday-Friday, client services hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; please call first at 714/481-5300.
• Donations to Red Cross:
On October 29, Red Cross National Headquarters announced that it has met the expected costs of the California wildfires but still needs donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to ensure it can respond to the next disaster just as swiftly and effectively as it did in Southern California. Many donations to the relief efforts remain in "pledge" form and, while not yet received by the Red Cross, have been incorporated into the estimate of funds raised for the California wildfire response. The cost of the Red Cross relief operations is currently estimated at $12-15 million. It is important for supporters to fulfill their pledged gifts. For more information, call 714/481-5300.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California Wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter (American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705) or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. 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.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
• VOLUNTEER INQUIRIES TO RED CROSS:
To learn more about volunteer opportunities within the American Red Cross of Orange County, please send an email with your name and contact information to volunteers@oc-redcross.org and we will provide you with follow up information.
• Red Cross MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY: 714/481-5376
• Looking for Loved Ones - Safe and Well:
Safe and Well is a nationally accessible website, developed as a free community service by the American Red Cross, that provides a way for individuals affected by a disaster (within the U.S.) to list themselves as "safe and well." Then, loved ones can check on the status of their family and friends. Register and connect at 1-800-RED CROSS or www.redcross.org.
• Military Family Evacuees (reserve, National Guard, army, navy, marines, etc. – active or inactive): Assistance might be provided by the Southern California Family Readiness Groups. Contact: Cheryl Courwright at 714/514-5628
• Donation of Goods (thru Red Cross): The American Red Cross does not have the capacity to accept or collect, and does not actively solicit individual in-kind donations (such as clothes, shoes, toys, etc) in times of disaster. Direct financial donations to the Red Cross are the best way to assist victims of disaster.
• Financial Contributions:
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California Wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter (American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705) or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. 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.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
To make a Corporate Contribution, please contact Alesha Arp at 714/481-5367 or alarp@oc-redcross.org.
• American Red Cross Blood Services:
The American Red Cross Blood Services national system continues to aid southern California with continued shipments of blood products into the area from across the United States to help stabilize the local blood supply. Some blood drives in the fire zones have had to be cancelled. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.GiveLife.org. For Spanish, please call 1-866-POR-VIDA (1-866-767-8432) or visit www.cruzrojaamericana.org.
• Additional Resources:
Operation OC is assisting evacuees of the California fires with a variety of food and service resources. Go to www.OperationOC.org for up-to-date information.
Those affected by the California wildfires can get learn more about available resources and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.org.
Orange County Red Cross youth volunteers joined Joe DiPenta from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, October 26 when Honda Center, the Anaheim Ducks, ABC7, KABC Talk Radio and KLOS all came together with Red Cross for a fundraising drive that raised $331,990 to support victims of the recent Southern California wildfires. Red Cross volunteers, along with Ducks players, coaches and staff helped to collect monetary donations. Contributions from local community members, businesses and organizations received a boost for the final tally when a $100,000 donation was made by the Samueli Foundation, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks together.
November 5, 2007
Release No. 19
Summary of Orange County Red Cross Response to Recent Fires
Santa Ana, Calif. - Following is a recap of American Red Cross services provided by the Orange County Chapter during the recent fires:
- Four shelters were opened in three locations (Lakeview Senior Center, El Toro High School, El Modena High School)
- Our remaining shelter (El Modena) was closed on Nov. 3 after the Orange County Fire Authority lifted evacuation orders for canyon areas
- 1,250 overnight stays were provided to displaced residents
- 4,800 meals were served (many of which were generously donated from restaurants in Orange County)
- More than 300 volunteers participated in relief efforts
- Orange County Social Services Agency provided some workers to help staff our shelters
- Grainger and Standard Pacific Homes, partners in the Red Cross “Ready When the Time Comes” program, provided volunteers to complete our disaster assessment.
- The Chapter emergency operations center operated almost continually from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3
- More than $1 million towards wildfire relief was raised by the Orange County Chapter, including $333,000 at a Honda Center fundraiser
For those Orange County families with homes damagedor destroyed by the Santiago fire, Red Cross client services are available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Orange County Red Cross (601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana , CA 92705 – George Chitty Building.) Those affected are requested to call prior to coming in at 714/481-5300 (M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
For more information, visit www.oc-redcross.org or contact the Orange County Red Cross at 714/481-5300.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California Wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter (American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705 ) or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013 . 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.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
601 N. Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana, CA, 92705
Phone: (714) 481-5300 Website: www.oc-redcross.org
