The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area hosted some 5,000 representatives from local chapters across the country at its annual convention last week in an effort to boost morale, lobby Congress and raise funds for disaster relief.
The main events at thethree-day conference included a fundraising gala that was expected to raise $2 million and organized lobbying campaign Thursday afternoon.
While out-of-town chapters used their time on Capitol Hill to express their views to their representatives and senators, the national chapter spent the day recruiting new volunteers in anticipation of hurricane season.
The nonprofit, which is one of the first responders in a disaster, was heavily criticized last year for its response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many critics said the organization was not prepared to use the many volunteers who wanted to help.
Putting volunteers in place ahead of hurricane season will help the organization react to another such evacuation situation or a local disaster, said Cameron Ballantyne, a spokesman for National Capital Area chapter.
“We are always responding to disasters, whether it’s a house fire or a hurricane evacuation or even a terrorist attack,” he said. The day on Capitol Hill was an effort to “tap into the talent of Capitol Hill staff members who would potentially volunteer with us when they’re on recess.”
STILL SERVING
» The American Red Cross is still serving 10,000 meals a day to people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Bloomberg News contributed to this report.
