45 volunteers from the Nebraska-Iowa region of the American Red Cross are providing comfort and support in Florida, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest in the wake of multiple disasters this month. Seven of those volunteers are supporting people affected by Hurricane Idalia in Florida. Volunteers from our region joined hundreds of other Red Cross volunteers from across the country as many seek relief from the Category 3 storm. Idalia came ashore in Florida's Big Bend region, the strongest storm to hit that area in more that 125 years, and the third hurricane to make landfall in Florida in the last year.

21 volunteers from Nebraska and Iowa are currently on the ground in Hawaii, as we continue to work tirelessly to deliver compassionate and equitable care to the many picking up the pieces. We are working with our partners to provide meals, disaster health and mental health services, and spiritual care to help families and individuals begin the recovery process. In the weeks and months ahead, the Red Cross will remain on the ground to partner with the community and provide our services throughout the healing and recovery process.

Today, the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters compared to a decade ago. In the first half of 2023 alone, the nation experienced a record 15 billion-dollar disasters, including catastrophic atmospheric rivers in California and deadly tornadoes in the South and Midwest. To equitably meet the growing and unique needs of disaster-affected families and communities, we are enhancing our large-scale disaster response services, expanding financial assistance, strengthening local partner networks and growing our disaster workforce in the U.S.

We need your help to support those affected by current and future disasters. If you would like to make a financial gift, visit redcross.org/donate. Financial contributions enable us to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.

Are you wanting to give the gift of time? Regardless of the amount of time you have to give, we have a place for you. Volunteers are the beating heart of our workforce. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn about the roles available near you.

Another way to support those experiencing disasters is to give blood. Idalia forced the cancellation of more than a dozen blood drives and donation centers, resulting in hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. The need for blood is constant, and we are already experiencing a concerning shortfall in donations. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate.

"Midwest nice" is real. We see it every day in the dedication of our volunteers deployed and at home. We wish them the best as they serve the mission of the American Red Cross.