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CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Marsha Evans

Aired May 10, 2003 - 16:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: After stepping in to help storm victims in a dozen states this past week, the American Red Cross is reaching out to the public for help. Its disaster relief fund is dangerously low, and donations are urgently needed.
With us now from Washington, Red Cross President and CEO Marsha Evans. Marcia, good to see you again. Sorry under such circumstances, though.

Well, Marcia, let me ask you this. Already, the last numbers that I saw, you had American Red Cross volunteers who were fanned out across eight states, many of them were saying they feel quite strained that the need is so great and that they really could use some assistance themselves. What are your volunteers reporting back to you?

MARSHA J. EVANS, PRES., CEO, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Well, Fredricka, we have volunteers now that are in 12 states, operating more than 40 shelters. We've already served more than 85,000 meals and snacks. Our volunteers and our staff on the scene are reporting that there is, of course, great damage but Red Cross is standing by with the victims, offering support, offering help in the cleanup, offering mental health counseling. And that's why we need the public's help now.

WHITFIELD: And in what form can you use the public's help?

EVANS: The most pressing need we have at this very moment is to help us replenish the disaster relief fund. We've responded, just in the last 10 months, to over 230 large scale disasters. We've spent $85 million in that response. We know that this response, for the 12 states and there could even be more before this weather system is out, is going to probably exceed $10, $12 million. So we need some help.

It's particularly important because we're three weeks away from the hurricane season, and we know, of course, the hurricane season always brings some challenges.

WHITFIELD: And how much of a help or how much of a difference does it make when you've got the federal government, which declares parts of Oklahoma as federal disaster areas. Does that in any way assist you all as you try to reach out to those in need? Does it kind of take away some of the burden, so to speak?

EVANS: Not really, Fredricka. The American Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American public. We're not a governmental agency, though we work in very close partnership with the FEMA disaster responders and other state and local emergency responders, but we depend on the public to donate the funds so that we can then help others.

WHITFIELD: This generally is a pretty volatile season, the springtime with a lot of tornadic activity. But most meteorologists and weather experts are all agreeing that this really seems to be pretty unprecedented. So about this time, how are you all able to help -- to reach out to the public to kind of replenish your disaster fund?

EVANS: Well, it's Mother's Day weekend, and we are suggesting that it's a great way to honor a mother by making a donation in honor of mom. You know, we have in our Red Cross volunteers, we have many moms who have given up their time this weekend and family celebrations to be on site so they can help the moms who have lost their homes and who are really suffering. So we'd like people to make that donation online at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-helpnow, and make it in honor of mom.

WHITFIELD: Great. Redcross.org and 1-800-helpnow in order to reach out to help the American Red Cross so the American Red Cross can help out the many of people, the thousands of folks in need all year long. All right, Marsha Evans, good to see you, president and CEO of American Red Cross.

EVANS: Thanks, Fredricka.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired May 10, 2003 - 16:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: After stepping in to help storm victims in a dozen states this past week, the American Red Cross is reaching out to the public for help. Its disaster relief fund is dangerously low, and donations are urgently needed.
With us now from Washington, Red Cross President and CEO Marsha Evans. Marcia, good to see you again. Sorry under such circumstances, though.

Well, Marcia, let me ask you this. Already, the last numbers that I saw, you had American Red Cross volunteers who were fanned out across eight states, many of them were saying they feel quite strained that the need is so great and that they really could use some assistance themselves. What are your volunteers reporting back to you?

MARSHA J. EVANS, PRES., CEO, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Well, Fredricka, we have volunteers now that are in 12 states, operating more than 40 shelters. We've already served more than 85,000 meals and snacks. Our volunteers and our staff on the scene are reporting that there is, of course, great damage but Red Cross is standing by with the victims, offering support, offering help in the cleanup, offering mental health counseling. And that's why we need the public's help now.

WHITFIELD: And in what form can you use the public's help?

EVANS: The most pressing need we have at this very moment is to help us replenish the disaster relief fund. We've responded, just in the last 10 months, to over 230 large scale disasters. We've spent $85 million in that response. We know that this response, for the 12 states and there could even be more before this weather system is out, is going to probably exceed $10, $12 million. So we need some help.

It's particularly important because we're three weeks away from the hurricane season, and we know, of course, the hurricane season always brings some challenges.

WHITFIELD: And how much of a help or how much of a difference does it make when you've got the federal government, which declares parts of Oklahoma as federal disaster areas. Does that in any way assist you all as you try to reach out to those in need? Does it kind of take away some of the burden, so to speak?

EVANS: Not really, Fredricka. The American Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American public. We're not a governmental agency, though we work in very close partnership with the FEMA disaster responders and other state and local emergency responders, but we depend on the public to donate the funds so that we can then help others.

WHITFIELD: This generally is a pretty volatile season, the springtime with a lot of tornadic activity. But most meteorologists and weather experts are all agreeing that this really seems to be pretty unprecedented. So about this time, how are you all able to help -- to reach out to the public to kind of replenish your disaster fund?

EVANS: Well, it's Mother's Day weekend, and we are suggesting that it's a great way to honor a mother by making a donation in honor of mom. You know, we have in our Red Cross volunteers, we have many moms who have given up their time this weekend and family celebrations to be on site so they can help the moms who have lost their homes and who are really suffering. So we'd like people to make that donation online at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-helpnow, and make it in honor of mom.

WHITFIELD: Great. Redcross.org and 1-800-helpnow in order to reach out to help the American Red Cross so the American Red Cross can help out the many of people, the thousands of folks in need all year long. All right, Marsha Evans, good to see you, president and CEO of American Red Cross.

EVANS: Thanks, Fredricka.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com