Community Corner

Nassau Red Cross Begins Holiday Giving Campaign

Browse gift catalog to purchase items for soldiers, those in need.

The American Red Cross in Nassau County has launched its holiday giving campaign, urging residents to make a gift that could save the day for someone in need.

The Red Cross campaign features a holiday catalog, www.redcross.org/gifts. The gift catalog has more than 20 gift ideas — such as assisting someone in the military with a phone card or with supplies, providing food and shelter to a disaster victim, covering the costs of snacks at a blood drive, or giving basic necessities to a family in another country.

"The holiday season is a time of hope, and a gift to the Red Cross provides hope when the next disaster strikes, when a neighbor's house burns down, when someone needs life-saving blood or when a child needs a hug and a blanket," said Frank Cassano, CEO of the Nassau Red Cross. "A gift to the Red Cross can save the day for people in need, whether they are down the street, across the country, or around the world."

In addition to the online catalog, the local chapter is offering other gift ideas including discounted tickets for the New York Islanders game against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 26, and the opportunity to donate money through tickets for the off-Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical at SUNY College at Old Westbury. These can be purchased by visiting www.nassauredcross.org and clicking on Holiday Gift Ideas.

The purchase of each gift item is a tax-deductible contribution to the overall mission of the American Red Cross.  On the rare occasion when donations exceed the need in a particular area, the contribution will be used to help others where the need is greatest.   

The Red Cross kicked off its 2010 holiday giving effort as a new national survey shows that despite the economic downturn, people remain committed to digging deep into their pockets to support charitable causes this holiday season, even as they cut back more on other holiday activities.

Nearly three in four people expect to give more or about the same to charity as they did last year, according to the national survey for the American Red Cross, which was conducted Oct. 21-24.

This commitment to support charities during the holiday season occurs even as 86 percent of Americans reported their personal finances are the same or worse than they were last year.

The Red Cross survey shows about 70 percent of people are planning to reduce spending for at least one common holiday expense. By comparison, only about 23 percent are planning to reduce their charitable contributions compared to last year.

 "It's gratifying to see that while the personal finances of many people are strained, they still feel a strong desire to do what they can to help someone else in need," Cassano said.

This article was submitted by the Nassau Red Cross.


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