During the weeks following one of the deadliest and most costly natural disasters in national history, the local chapter of the American Red Cross is still helping those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The work performed by the members of the American Red Cross has once again gained national recognition. The Greensboro Chapter of the American Red Cross has contributed significantly to the recovery effort. The organization strives to help local evacuees cope with the struggle of daily life when many of them have lost everything that they owned.

For these new residents of the Triad, the Greensboro Chapter of the American Red Cross has become a beacon of hope in the midst of incredible devastation and loss.

Melanie McDonough, public support director for the Greensboro Chapter of the American Red Cross, explained that the city of Greensboro has become one of many cities contributing to the recovery effort.

“Our mission is to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies,” McDonough said.

“The Greensboro chapter itself has provided relief accommodations for more than 200 evacuees from the New Orleans area,” she said.

McDonough also estimates that the local chapter will receive more than $400,000 in financial contributions by mid-September. This figure is expected to continue to increase over time.

According to a Sept. 5 news release, McDonough estimated that all American Red Cross chapters throughout the country had housed nearly 135,000 individuals. Additionally, the news release stated that more than 470 shelters had been utilized in the United States, and more than 2 million meals had been served to Katrina victims.

A significant percentage of the donations received by individual American Red Cross chapters are provided by members of public and corporate communities.

“These funds are necessary for the American Red Cross to provide basic services for the victims and their families. The Red Cross is not simply limited to financial support,” she said.

Cherry Callahan, a volunteer at the Disaster Relief Service Center for the American Red Cross, said that the donations halp to provide debit cards for people affected by the hurricane.

Callahan said that the American Red Cross has received help from many college students.

“There has been several students from the joint social work master’s degree program from UNC-G and A&T to help with relief,” she said.

Callahan said that students who volunteer take on tasks such as interviewing evacuees and determining if the person or family is from an affected area.

Students also provide the client with housing and social services information.

The American Red Cross helps to ensure that the victims find adequate shelter, food, water, and clothing. The organization also provides the victims of Katrina with adequate medical treatment and assists individuals with getting necessary medications as well as the appropriate emotional support.

However, the effort to provide relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina cannot be accomplished simply through the efforts of one organization.

McDonough said that this campaign is simply a collaboration of many state and national agencies.

The Salvation Army, along with the North Carolina Department of Social Services, are simply two of the organizations which are combining their efforts to provide relief for the victims of Katrina.

McDonough confirmed that the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, initially scheduled to be a temporary relief shelter for victims evacuated from the New Orleans area, would not be used for that purpose.

“Greensboro will not receive any evacuees,” she said in the interview.

McDonough said that any evacuees coming to North Carolina will most likely be forwarded to the Charlotte or Raleigh areas.

Officials of the city of Greensboro announced that they were officially ending their plans to receive and house hurricane evacuees on Sept. 12. In a similar press release from Fox8 News, it was estimated that over $57,000 was spent on the preparations for the evacuees.

Fox8 News indicated in the press release that the city would be eligible for reimbursement of this cost from FEMA.

The national organization of the American Red Cross was initially founded over 125 years ago.

The organization has provided assistance to national and international communities through various military conflicts and natural disasters. Local American Red Cross chapters have various responsibilities, including responding to natural disasters such as floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes.

Local chapters also organize and staff blood drives, teach safety and first-aid courses throughout the community, provide assistance to the families of military personnel and contribute in other international efforts.

The Greensboro chapter was initially established in 1917. The chapter is located at 1501 Yanceyville St. The Disaster Relief Service Center is located at 1204 Maple St.

To learn more about the American Red Cross or how you can contribute to this organization, visit their website at www.redcross.org.

• William Fair