Newsroom

General News

Linda Crawford turned onto the road of her Statesville home a month ago to find ambulances and fire trucks. A fire had started in her bedroom and destroyed the house where she, her daughter and two grandchildren lived.

“It knocked me off my feet,” Crawford said with tears in her eyes. “We didn’t have anything. We didn’t have anywhere to go.”

She said two American Red Cross volunteers showed up and said, “We can help.” The Red Cross found Crawford and her family a place to stay and provided assistance for food, clothing and other basic needs.

“It was so wonderful to know people cared enough about us to help us,” Crawford said. “I knew we had a place to go. I’m so thankful to the Red Cross.”

Thanks to about 800 bike riders, families who find themselves in Crawford’s position will receive the help of the American Red Cross.

The Lake Norman Excursion bicycle ride on Saturday, July 18, raised more than $20,000 for the local Red Cross, which, among other things, provides emergency assistance to families who have had a disaster such as Crawford’s. All Red Cross assistance for families in Crawford’s situation is provided solely by the generosity of people in our community.

This bike ride boasted a Family Fun 10-mile ride as well as 40-, 68- and 100-mile routes. All proceeds benefit the Greater Carolinas Chapter, which serves Mecklenburg and Iredell counties. That money will be used right here in our communities to:
• shelter, clothe and feed victims of disasters, such as Linda Crawford;
• train thousands of people in First Aid, CPR and other life-saving skills;
• connect military members overseas with their loved ones at home during times of emergency; and
• transport clients to and from much-needed medical appointments at no cost to them.

In years past, the Excursion has attracted about 600 riders and raised less than $20,000, making this year a huge success!

###

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. To make a donation or find out more about the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross, call (704) 378.4620 or visit http://www.redcrosshelps.org.