Help Haiti and the Red Cross International Response Fund

New-- Donate the the International Response Fund at Smith's or Golden West Bank. Smith's offering donations at registers through January 30th. Golden West taking donations at all Utah branch locations.

The American Red Cross and KUTV 2 Raise $424,720 for the Red

Cross International Response Fund for Haiti

Salt Lake City, UTAH (Friday, January 15, 2010) The American Red Cross in Utah partnered with KUTV 2 to raise more than $424,720 during an all-day telethon Friday. Dozens of volunteers started answering phones at 6:00 am and continued through 11:00 pm. Major donations included $25,000 from the Bastian Foundation, $15,000 from NuSkin, $10,000 from Questar Gas and $5,000 from Ancestry.com. Wells Fargo announced during the telethon a nationwide gift of $100,000.

CEO Maxine Margaritis of the Red Cross Utah Region said, “It was heartwarming to watch those phones light up with local callers making donations all day long. The devastation in Haiti has deeply affected Utahns. The donations, big and small, are desperately needed for the International Response Fund. We were impressed with KUTV’s ability to put the telethon together very quickly and it was extremely well organized.” KUTV Channel 2 Vice President and General Manager Steve Carlston said, “What a thrilling experience this has been to see our Utah

community come together so quickly to support the people of Haiti. Every person we call, every corporation that we contact is eager to do whatever they can to help the victims of this tragic event. Every member of our KUTV family is honored to be part of this great humanitarian effort."

Smith’s and Golden West Bank have joined the cause as well and will be taking donations from the public. Golden West will be accepting donations at all 17 Utah branches. You can also go into any Smith’s Food and Drug now through January 30th to make a donation at the cash register. Utahns who missed the telethon can continue to donate online at www.utahredcross.org, by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or by mailing donations to: 555 East 300 South Suite #200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah responded to 114 local incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000. Visit www.utahredcross.org click on “Across Utah.”