HRCadmin posted on April 19, 2011 18:14
Fayetteville, N.C., April, 19, 2011 – While disaster relief efforts continue throughout Cumberland County, the Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association has provided the chapter’s largest financial gift in history, with a $100,000 pledge to support disaster relief efforts.
The announcement was kicked-off by Highlands Chapter Executive Director, Victoria Raleigh who welcomed all participants. She made a special acknowledgement to the media who played a huge role in saving the lives of many due to their extensive early tornado detection and warning system.
She provided an overview of disaster services to-date in both Cumberland County and throughout North Carolina. A few specifics included:
- More than trained 260 Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief efforts.
- 26 National Emergency Response Vehicles are traveling in affected areas.
- Last night, seven North Carolina shelters were open with almost 300 residents.
- Damage assistance teams are assessing damage in accessible neighborhoods today.
The sixteen automotive dealers in the Fayetteville Area New Car Dealers Association joined together for the largest financial gift in Chapter’s history. Flanked by many of the dealers, association president Heath Brown stated, “We are joined together in our thoughts in prayers for the citizens of Cumberland County, State of North Carolina and other states affected by this disaster. It‘s a privilege to stand united together in the face of crisis. As volunteers, rescue workers and public servants continue their great work, we are reminded daily of the scars this tragedy has left on the lives of so many. It is with great pleasure, we pledge $100,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts that are well underway in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and across the state of North Carolina, as in many states that have been impacted by this storm.”
North Carolina was hit hardest by the violent string of storms on Saturday. Preliminary damage assessment show almost 500 homes destroyed and more than 1,000 damaged. Some areas are still inaccessible, and officials say that more than 1,000 families will be left homeless in the state because of the storms. The Red Cross has provided overnight stays for about 600 people, served more than 1,500 meals and snacks, and mobile response vehicles will continue to deliver meals as well as cleanup and comfort kits to residents repairing their homes.