Postcard from the Field: Eric Sanchez lends an “Amazing” hand

American Red Cross volunteer Debbie Kemp of the Washtenaw County Chapter in Ann Arbor (MI), and Eric Sanchez work together on cleaning and packing up cots that were used in the megashelter in Houston which housed as many as 1,200 Hurricane Ike evacuees. Sanchez, who won the Season 11 “All Star Amazing Race,” and several contestants from the reality television shows “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” and “Amazing Race” were on hand Sunday (October 26) to help with cot cleanup. In times of disaster, the American Red Cross provides food, shelter, disaster health and mental health services, bulk distribution of home and health products, and advocacy and referral services.

Release: Houston, Texas 10.22.08

SHELTER IN BAYTOWN TO CLOSE

HOUSTON, TX, October 22, 2008 – As residents displaced by Hurricane Ike find alternative or more permanent housing, the shelter at the Lee High School Annex managed by the American Red Cross plans to close on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Suzy Davidson, director of the American Red Cross Hurricane Ike relief operation that includes the Baytown shelter, said: “Nothing has changed in our commitment to meeting personal and family needs. Post Hurricane Ike, we remain focused on helping displaced families plan their recovery.” Red Cross Advocacy and Referral workers have and continue to make resources available to disaster victims through the many agencies partnering with us. “We are grateful to our Red Cross volunteers and those from our partner agencies who have been instrumental in providing food, shelter, comfort and assistance,” Davidson said.

At the peak of the disaster, Baytown had shelters at Wooster Baptist Church with 137 residents and Memorial Baptist Church with 87 residents. Last week, Lee High School had 42 shelter residents. Earlier this month, the City of Baytown awarded the American Red Cross and the Southern Baptist Convention with keys to the City in appreciation for their assistance to residents displaced by Hurricane Ike.

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Media Contact:

• C.A. Burke (571) 918-5364

Photos: Rockettes Visit the Auchan Shelter in Houston 10.7.08

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Photo: First Lady Laura Bush visits the Auchan Shelter 10.3.08

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Photos: Clara Barton Village, the Galveston Tent Shelter

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Audio: Reflecting on an Eye-Opening Experience 10.1.08

Daphne Mathews Reports:

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Photos: Baytown, TX Shelter and Galveston, TX: 9.27.08

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Photos: Cleburne, TX Shelter 9.26.08

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Audio: Red Cross Volunteer describes life in a staff shelter 9.25.08

Larry Fortmuller reports from the staff shelter in Beaumont, TX: 

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Video: Raymond McGee, 13-year-old Shelter Volunteer