American Red Cross Asks Social Networkers to Help Disaster Victims

Participate by displaying Red Cross support online Friday, September 19, 2008

WASHINGTON, Thursday, September 18, 2008 — The American Red Cross is appealing to online communities to come together Friday, September 19th to promote its message and brand and help overcome critical funding shortages for the Disaster Relief Fund.  

The Red Cross is currently supporting thousands of evacuees across the Gulf States affected by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, as it responds to thousands of disasters across the country every day, from home fires to tornadoes.

The National Association of Broadcasters has generously asked radio stations across the country to broadcast a Red Cross Public Service Announcement on Friday at 1:00 PM EST. These PSAs underscore the vital nature of the Red Cross mission and ask Americans to donate to the fund. To coincide with this coordinated PSA effort, The American Red Cross is asking everyone who has a blog, Twitter account, Facebook profile, and other online presence to display support for the victims of Hurricanes Gustav, Ike and hundreds of other disasters tomorrow with the goal of raising awareness and funds to provide relief.

Participants can:

• Change their profile pictures to a Red Cross Avatar for the day (or longer)
• Place a Red Cross Banner on their sites and share on social networks
• Embed Red Cross PSAs
• Embed Red Cross Relief Videos from Disaster Sites
• Embed Red Cross widgets
• Embed Red Cross audio clips from the field
• Promote the Text 2Help campaign
• Share Red Cross news items on social networks
• Be creative! Show support and encourage donations in their own way

On Friday, September 19, 2008, join the Red Cross on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, or email your comments to socialmedia@usa.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross:
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. 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. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC.