Red Cross text donations not designated for Oklahoma

The Oklahoman's website (one of the major news outlets in Oklahoma City) is reporting that the text donations people are making to the Red Cross are not going to the victims in Moore.  They are going to an overall Red Cross fund.  Please keep this in mind as you give.

Click here for the original article:http://newsok.com/article/3828381

Source: Newsok.com 

Donations to local Red Cross Chapter likely will be used for relief related to recent tornadoes. The American Red Cross estimates “several million” dollars has been donated via text messages this week, but the money is not designated to relief efforts in Oklahoma.

The American Red Cross estimates “several million” dollars have been donated via electronic text messages since a tornado devastated Moore on Monday, but the money is not specifically designated to relief efforts in Oklahoma.

A representative of the local chapter, however, promised money donated to the local organization will be used for relief efforts in Oklahoma.

Ann Marie Borrego, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., verified Tuesday that money donated by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 will instead go toward a national disaster recovery fund.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in Oklahoma,” Borrego said. “When someone texts “REDCROSS” to 90999, that $10 donation goes to the American Red Cross. I could have donated on May 15 and that's what it would go in. It goes to general disaster relief. It is not designated to Oklahoma or any specific disaster relief.”

Borrego said some of the money donated via text message may end up being used in Oklahoma, and noted the agency has already sent crews into the state to provide food, emergency shelter, aid stations, clean up kits, mobile kitchens and counseling to the tornado victims.

Oklahoma City resident Alicia Sullivan, who has been following news of Monday's disaster and the outpouring of donations through online social media, is among those concerned that message is not being shared.

“I don't disagree with helping others,” Sullivan said. “But it should be known to the public that if you're giving a million to help your neighbors that not all of that million might be going to help them. They should make this clear to people.”

Borrego responds that if people wish to donate to their local chapter — the Oklahoma Red Cross — they should do so via their website. She said she believes the agency clearly expresses how it will use donations sent via text message.

“We tell people to donate to disaster relief so we can then determine how those funds are used to support communities when they are needed most,” Borrego said.