Blandin Foundation commits $25,000 to Red Cross relief effort

DULUTH, MN – The Blandin Foundation has committed $25,000 to the Red Cross relief effort to help those affected by the worst one-day tally of tornadoes in Minnesota history. A series of violent and unprecedented storms tore across Minnesota last Thursday damaging over 840 homes, reducing many to rubble, and leaving thousands of residents without electricity.

“The Blandin Foundations’ generous donation is going to help our neighbors get back on their feet and move toward some sort of normalcy” said Northland American Red Cross Executive Director, Judy Hanne Gonzalez.

Red Cross relief takes the form of vouchers for clients to redeem at local businesses for food, clothing, shelter and other disaster related needs. More than 50 Red Cross volunteers and staff have distributed over 7500 meals and snacks, opened four temporary shelters, and are providing counseling to help people deal with the difficult emotions brought on by such destruction.

The Red Cross relief effort is estimated to reach $250,000 to $400,000, according to Gonzalez.

Help people affected by disasters like tornadoes by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those affected by all disasters. Please make a donation by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.