Red Cross continues work with county flood victims

    Families helped by the American Red Cross in the aftermath of recent flooding in Aroostook County and elsewhere in northern Maine, said the local Pine Tree Chapter and dozens of Red Cross disaster volunteers from 12 states are doing “a fabulous job,” according to a Red Cross statement.     A posting on the May 23 national American Red Cross “Tips and Tidbits from the Field” distribution list quotes the e-mail sent to the agency by a “displaced resident’s daughter,” who said “I just want to tell you what a fabulous job the Red Cross did in Fort Kent, Maine.
    “My Dad lost his home in the flood. While staying at a motel in town with many other families that were displaced, the Red Cross brought us breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also stopped by the house and fed us when we were working there. They delivered cleaning supplies, provided emotional support, Dad received an assistance card, they helped find housing for him . . . [T]hey were incredible. If we left the house to run errands we would often find notes in the mail box with phone numbers should we need any further assistance. It was very comforting to see Red Cross trucks in town and to know that we were going to get through this with a little help.”
    According to Hillary Roberts, the Pine Tree Chapter’s director of emergency services, “All of us at the local Red Cross are grateful to the many American Red Cross volunteers and staff who responded so quickly and so effectively to help people when flood waters struck northern Maine a few weeks ago, and we are pleased to know that families received the help they needed.”  Roberts added, “We are still providing services where they are needed.”
    The disaster response effort has generated significant support from Mainers and Maine businesses who want to help their neighbors.  “Katahdin Trust Company, MMG Insurance Company, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine, Time Warner Cable and WAGM-TV have made very generous gifts,” Roberts said.  “Nearly 200 individuals, businesses and community agencies have also contributed to the disaster response effort.  We thank each and every one of them.”
    All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.      Contributions to the disaster relief fund may be sent to the Aroostook County Branch of the Pine Tree Chapter at 111 High Street, Suite 2, Caribou ME 04736, by calling 493-4620 in Caribou, or at any Katahdin Trust Company bank branch.  Gifts may also be made online at www.pinetree.redcross.org.