VENTURA : Red Cross Launches Disaster Aid Drive

American Red Cross officials made a strong appeal Tuesday for more donations in the wake of costly hurricane disasters in Florida and Hawaii.

The Ventura County chapter of the American Red Cross has set a fund-raising goal of $234,000. Of that, $191,810 is targeted for the national relief effort, while the remaining $42,190 is needed to meet local disaster relief needs. So far, $70,000 has been donated, officials said.

“Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki, Typhoon Omar and other major disasters this year are the most massive relief effort in Red Cross history,” said Christopher Danch, chairman of the local chapter, in a press conference at Grant Park overlooking Ventura.

The American Red Cross needs to raise more than $100 million nationally to pay for the shelter, food and financial assistance of the disaster victims, he said.

Brian Bolton, executive director of the Ventura Red Cross Chapter, said the Red Cross evacuated and housed 90,000 people in Florida just prior to the hurricane. He gestured to the city below and compared evacuation efforts to housing Ventura’s entire population.

To further illustrate the massive relief effort going on, he said 4 million meals have been served to disaster victims since Hurricane Andrew--enough to feed everyone in Ventura County a meal a day for a week.

He said Ventura County was on the receiving end of similar relief last February when heavy flooding displaced people in a Ventura RV park. The local chapter had budgeted only $34,000 for local relief, and the national organization chipped in $250,000.

Red Cross officials acknowledged that raising funds during tough economic times would be difficult.

“It’s absolutely a challenge,” Danch said. Because of the exceptional need, the local organization has mailed out fund-raising appeals to 35,000 people and approached groups and businesses for money.

Contributions have come from some unexpected places. Last week, the local Red Cross received $18.37 from the first-grade students at St. Anthony’s School in Oxnard. Eighth-graders at Santa Clara School in Oxnard contributed $857.

Bank of A. Levy has opened a special account. Donors may contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund at any branch bank. Also, McDonald’s restaurants in Ventura County have donation envelopes at all locations.

Anyone wishing to help the victims of Hurricane Andrew and other disasters may send a contribution to: American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 25660, Ventura 93002.

Donations may be charged to a credit card by calling 1-800-842-2200, or for Spanish speaking people, 1-800-257-7575.