YHS students launch “Save a Family” campaign
“Save a Family” campaign to benefit local area families

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Sarah Gilbank (left) takes time out for a picture with Red Cross volunteer Sandy Hale and fellow Yosemite High School student Jennifer Munn.

As part of their senior projects, Sarah Gilbank and Jennifer Munn, two seniors at Yosemite High School decided to volunteer to raise money for the American Red Cross “Save a Family” program. The young ladies are working under the supervision of American Red Cross Disaster Services Volunteer Sandy Hale.

The purpose of their senior project is to provide financial assistance to local families who have experienced a disaster like a single family fire, flooding, earthquake damage, etc. and lost their home. The money raised is used to supply food, shelter, and/or clothing for the displaced families. The donations come from individuals, businesses, and corporations and stay in the community to help our neighbors and friends.

Since 1917, the American Red Cross Fresno-Madera Chapter has provided assistance in time of local and national disasters. The chapter’s outreach activities are supported 100 percent by local community donations. Outreach includes assistance to displaced individuals and families affected by a natural disaster, support military personnel and their families, community health and safety training.
Last year the Fresno Madera Chapter helped more than 179 displaced families. Of the 996 individuals affected, more than 50 percent were children. The Red Cross provided food, clothing and shelter as well as other life supporting services to those victims.

This level of assistance helped each family begin to rebuild their lives. To ensure that the resources are available to support these local relief efforts, the annual “Save a Family” campaign is being launched.
“We estimate that direct assistance to displaced families and individuals cost the chapter on average of $750 per incident last year,” said Ellen Schneider, chief executive office for the Fresno Madera counties chapter of the American red cross. “Annually we have seen not only an increase in need but also an increase in the cost of providing support.

This year we have established a goal of $75,000 for the “Save a Family” campaign. The money spent on disaster relief is funded from dollars raised in the community from individuals, businesses and corporations,”

More than 100 local Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteers work closely with other first responders in the community when a local family is in the need of food, shelter or clothing as a result of being displaced from their home.

“Without the incredible support we get from the community we would be challenged to meet our mission to always be there,” Schneider said.
Gilbank said a goal is set.

“Our goal is to raise $2,000 for the American Red Cross “Save a Family” campaign by early May,” Gilbank said.

Those interested in supporting the community YHS Student “Save a Family campaign can make a tax deductible contribution to the “Red Cross Save a Family Campaign Fund” at Yosemite Bank in Oakhurst, account # 6068038. These donations will stay in our community (Fresno and Madera counties) to help our neighbors and friends in a time of need. For more information, regarding the local campaign please contact Sarah at (559) 877-4662 and Munn at (559) 683-2089. For more information regarding the American Red Cross “Save a Family” campaign check out www.fresnomaderaredcross.org or call (559) 455-1000.

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News