Community Foundation makes grant to local American Red Cross chapter for hurricane disaster relief

Left to right: Rose Taylor, CFES Advancement Officer; Jeffrey Hawkins, ARC Volunteer; Sharon Dickson, Vice President, Community Investment, CFES; Henry Brooks, Disaster Responder, American Red Cross Lower Eastern Shore; Sharon Jefferson-Hawkins, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross; Erica Joseph, CFES President; Bob Rhodunda, Sr. Regional Philanthropy Officer, American Red Cross Delmarva; Victoria Kent, Director, Marketing & Communications, CFES; Lauren Ansted, Director, Community Impact, CFES; Katerra Marshall, Office Administrator, CFES.

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore has granted $25,000 to the American Red Cross Delmarva Chapter to assist in their rescue and recovery efforts across the Southeast region. Additionally, the Hershey Family Fund held at the Community Foundation granted $10,000.

“By supporting our local American Red Cross chapter, we are able to support the volunteers and aid workers from our area as they travel to assist our neighbors to the South,” states Erica Joseph, CFES President. “The incredible amount of devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton is unimaginable and the work the Delmarva Chapter of the American Red Cross does is heroic during a time of great need.”

Left to right: Jeffrey Hawkins, ARC Volunteer; Henry Brooks, Disaster Responder, American Red Cross Lower Eastern Shore; Sharon Jefferson-Hawkins, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross; Tom and Beth Hershey, donors; Bob Rhodunda, Sr. Regional Philanthropy Officer, American Red Cross Delmarva.

Local volunteers and staff have deployed to the hurricane affected regions, often spending days and weeks away from home to offer aid in the disaster areas. Responders provide shelter and meals, transport critical supplies to stranded residents, perform life-saving rescues, and other humanitarian relief.

“So many people have been impacted by these storms, and some have lost everything,” says Bob Rhodunda, Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer of the American Red Cross Delmarva. “We are grateful for the incredible support of donors who make our rescue efforts possible.”

To contribute to the American Red Cross Delmarva Chapter, visit redcross.org/donate and select “Your Local Red Cross” in the drop-down menu.