RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 25 March 2011
Richmond City Council encourages Richmonders to donate to the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross on behalf of the Japan Disaster Relief Fund
Money donated to the American Red Cross enables the agency to shelter, feed and clothe displaced victims
(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A) -- In the wake of the devastating effects of the earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 and the ensuing tsunami and nuclear crisis that has greatly affected the country, Richmond City Council encourages Richmonders interested in assisting affected families to donate money to the Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross on behalf of the Japan Disaster Relief Fund.
Members of Richmond City Council express their compassion for the families affected by this tragedy and their hopes for an expeditious recovery and return to calm in their lives.
Money donated to the Disaster Relief Fund enables the American Red Cross to shelter, feed, and clothe displaced families. Richmond City Council also reminds citizens that in-kind donations such as food and clothing are costly to ship and require additional security, warehousing, staffing, and distribution resources.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided free to recipients and is made possible through the kindness, care and donations of time and money by the American people.
Monetary donations may be mailed to the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter. P.O. Box 655, Richmond, Virginia 23261, by calling 804.780.2250 or by donating on-line, at www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org.
CONTACT For more information, please contact the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross, at 804.780.2256.
BACKGROUND
The American Red Cross is an independent entity that is organized and exists as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable institution pursuant to a charter granted to it by the United States Congress. Unlike other congressionally chartered organizations, the Red Cross maintains a special relationship with the federal government. It has the legal status of "a federal instrumentality," due to its charter requirements to carry out responsibilities delegated to it by the federal government. Among these responsibilities are:
• to fulfill the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, to which the United States is a signatory, assigned to national societies for the protection of victims of conflict,
• to provide family communications and other forms of support to the U.S. military, and,
• to maintain a system of domestic and international disaster relief, including mandated responsibilities under the National Response Plan coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- e n d -
______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________
MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.