The Verizon Foundation Awards A $20,000 Grant To Red Cross "Fire Hurts - Red Cross Helps" Campaign In Arizona

PHOENIX, AZ — The Verizon Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter to support the “Fire Hurts - Red Cross Helps” program that was recently launched to support efforts to assist victims of home fires, apartment fires and wildfires. This generous funding helps as the Red Cross responds to disasters such as the recent Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona that consumed 540,000 acres and displaced approximately 10,000 individuals, many of them relying upon Red Cross services and shelter operations until they could return home.

"As a long-time leader in providing wireless communications services in Arizona, we are providing the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross with monetary support to assist people that face hardships caused by fire-related disasters such as last month's wildfires," said Brian Danfield, region president, Verizon Wireless. "During both the Wallow and Monument fires, our Crisis Response Team deployed more than 100 wireless phones, modems and Mobile Hot Spots to provide additional communications support for relief organizations. Our network team also deployed mobile cell sites and boosted capacity to ensure reliable network coverage. We stand ready to continue our assistance as the wildfire season continues."

The “Fire Hurts - Red Cross Helps” campaign allows the Red Cross to meet the immediate emergency needs of disaster victims such as a safe place to sleep, food and emotional support. “Red Cross volunteers are on the scene of a disaster to provide care and comfort after people have lost so much,” said Bill Epps, Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer. “This generous grant from the Verizon Foundation will provide significant benefits to families impacted by fire related disasters.”

Last year alone, the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter responded to 534 disasters. The majority of these disasters were fire related. In total, more than 2,100 individuals received support from the Red Cross as they began the process of putting their lives back together again. This year the number of clients will be significantly increased due to the severity of the recent wildfires.

About the Verizon Foundation
The disaster relief grant is funded from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon. The Verizon Foundation uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

About the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter
The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is where volunteers from across central, western and northern Arizona come together to help people in need every day. The volunteer-led organization serves more than 5.2 million people central and northern Arizona. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military families. For more information, please visit www.arizonaredcross.org or call 1-800-842-7349.

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