Nov 29, 2024 2 min read

The holidays are a time to come together — not just as family and friends, but also as a community.

With data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing that 2024 is our country’s second-highest year of billion-dollar disasters — such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton — many people won’t be able to spend the holidays at home. For thousands, this year’s disasters reduced their homes to rubble, leaving them to seek refuge at an emergency shelter, in temporary housing or at a loved one’s.

But there’s hope, thanks to volunteers and donors, whose support through the American Red Cross is helping people to rebuild their lives with aid such as providing a safe place to stay, food, emotional support and recovery assistance. More than 100 Red Crossers from our Greater Pennsylvania Region deployed to the Southeast to help people affected by these hurricanes.

The need for this help is growing, amid the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters. Today, we’re responding to twice as many major U.S. disasters as we did a decade ago — all on top of local, everyday crises like home fires that are no less heartbreaking. In 2024, the Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains Chapter of the American Red Cross helped more than 600 people after local disasters.

In 2024, more than 300 people volunteered their time to support our Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains Chapter. Ways to help are available at redcross.org.

Tessie Amaranto

Greensburg

Amaranto is the executive director of the American Red Cross Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains Chapter.