Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) announced it is making a $15,000 donation to the American Red Cross of Montana to support flood relief efforts throughout the state.
"This generous gift will help us ensure we meet the needs of Montanans who are directly affected by ongoing flooding throughout the state," Red Cross of Montana Executive Director Diane Wright said. "Without partners like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, it would be incredibly difficult to do this work. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana understands the value of keeping our communities safe and prepared year-round."
Because of recent increases in snowmelt coupled with rainfall, many parts of Montana have faced flooding in recent days and weeks. As an example, the Clark Fork River is wreaking havoc in Missoula, having already reached its second-highest level on record. The river has been receding recently because of cooler temperatures, but officials expect it to peak at an even higher level later this week.
Red Cross has already established shelters for flood victims in Missoula, Helena, and Seeley, and is working with community partners in impacted areas to determine where there is a need for food. Wright said disaster relief funds help get volunteers and supplies to the right location at the right time and added that the organization anticipates the need for future shelters with flooding expected to last through June.
BCBSMT’s Care Van is providing additional support by partnering with Lewis & Clark Public Health to offer free immunizations to flood volunteers and others who may need an update. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18 at Lewis & Clark Public Health (1930 Ninth Avenue in Helena).
"Red Cross of Montana is always at the ready when disaster strikes to serve our friends and neighbors in times of need," BCBSMT Community Relations Manager Jesse Zentz said. "We care deeply about the health and well-being of our fellow Montanans, and we embrace a culture of giving back to the communities we serve, especially in times of crisis. We're proud to support the Red Cross of Montana and to offer emergency services through our Care Van® program."
There are three key phases to Red Cross disaster relief – preparedness, response and recovery. Preparedness occurs year-round as shelters are positioned across the state and provided with essential supplies needed in the event of a disaster. Response is what occurs when an emergency official makes the determination that a community needs to be evacuated.
When the call goes out, Red Cross is required to have a shelter ready to open within four hours. Red Cross of Montana, whose workforce is 98% volunteer, has 300 trained disaster action team volunteers throughout Montana, which allows them to respond effectively and efficiently.
But that's not where their work ends. The final phase of Red Cross disaster relief is recovery, which means helping those directly affected by the disaster get back on their feet.
There are many ways to help Red Cross of Montana. To donate, visit the American Red Cross of Montana. You can decide if you want to donate to your local chapter to help Montanans cope with disasters like the recent flooding. You also can mail a check to Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405. Write Montana disaster relief on the memo line if you want that money to stay in Montana. Lastly, you can call 800-ARC-MONT (272-6668).