The American Red Cross in northwest California is sending its two emergency response vehicles across the country to help with disaster relief efforts in the wake of the superstorm Sandy.
The trucks, which serve a region that includes six North Coast counties from Sonoma to Del Norte, are among a fleet of more than 320 emergency vehicles that the Red Cross has stationed across the country. All of the vehicles are being sent to New York City, and from there will be used to distribute meals, water, snacks and other relief supplies to neighborhoods in New Jersey and New York.
"We are doing everything we can to start getting their lives back together," said Ellen Maremont Silver, a local Red Cross spokeswoman.
The trucks will rendezvous at the Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, just north of JFK Airport.
Harold Minkin of Cloverdale, a frequent Red Cross volunteer, is one of the drivers who leave for New York Saturday afternoon. Each vehicle will have a team of two drivers.
Minkin said the last time he drove across the country was in 1975 on a personal trip from San Francisco to Florida.
He said he expects to see a lot of damage and bad road conditions, but he's eager to get food and supplies to where they are needed.
Jennifer Jones, the regional disaster services director for the Red Cross northwest region, said more than 4,100 Red Cross workers from all over the country are supporting shelters, providing food and water.
The Red Cross has helped set up a number of feeding sites and kitchens, including six sites in Long Island and six in New Jersey.
"Last night we had 12,800 people affected by Sandy staying in nearly 200 shelters" operated by the Red Cross and other organizations, Jones said, adding that 60 big-rig trailers of relief supplies arrived this weekend.
Since the storm hit, emergency response organizations have provided more than 72,000 shelter stays. Of these, more than 40,000 were provided by the Red Cross.
"The response to Sandy is large and costly," said Jones, adding that the organization is currently taking donations for ongoing relief efforts.
To help, call 1 800-733-2767 or go to www.redcross.org. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. The money goes to help people affected by natural disasters caused by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes.
(Contact Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com.)
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