Local Red Cross Gave $60K+ To Local Military Last Month

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties Wednesday announced it provided more than $60,000 in emergency financial help last month to Coast Guard members and families affected by the government shutdown.

The organization made the announcement in its monthly report for January, which detailing the nonprofit organization's disaster services and assistance to local military members and veteran families.

A total of $61,650 of the Red Cross' $71,823.47 in funding assistance went to Coast Guard members who did not get paid during the government shutdown, with the rest spread among members of other military factions.

The Red Cross was aided in its efforts by 7,019 hours of volunteer time, according to the organization's report. The Red Cross also named Jerome Fontenette as its January Volunteer of the Month, lauding him for rescuing county residents during flooding in December and delivering holiday gifts to military families around the county.

The organization plans to hold events over the next three months to help residents install smoke detectors in their homes and the organization's fifth annual Disaster Preparedness Academy, scheduled for March 8.

Residents can go to redcross.org/sandiego to learn more about the organization's local chapter and find information about its upcoming events.

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--City News Service/Image via Shutterstock