Red Cross Receives $130,000 Donation from CoBank and Farm Credit
To Support Wildfire And Disaster Relief
The American Red Cross has announced that it has received a pledge of $130,000 from CoBank and four of its affiliated Farm Credit associations in support of Colorado wildfire and disaster relief. The contribution is one of the largest commitments received by the agency since severe fires hit the Front Range region in early June.
“The Red Cross has worked tirelessly for more than a month providing comfort, shelter and assistance to the tens of thousands of people in Colorado impacted by the fires,” said Gino Greco, CEO of the American Red Cross Mile High Region. “With the 2012 fire season a long way from over, this generous contribution will enable us to continue fulfilling our mission and help people impacted by future fire disasters.”
Participating in the Red Cross contribution were CoBank; American Ag Credit; Farm Credit of New Mexico; Farm Credit of Southern Colorado and Premier Farm Credit. All are members of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and associations that provide loans and financial services to farmers, ranchers, cooperatives and other rural borrowers.
Included in the gift is approximately $15,000 contributed by individual CoBank employees under a matching program established by the Greenwood Village-based bank.
The majority of the funds are earmarked for Red Cross 2012 Colorado Wildfire Relief. A portion is also designated for disaster relief in New Mexico, where severe fires also have broken out this summer.
“As always, the American Red Cross has played an essential role in the humanitarian response to these terrible fires,” said Bob Engel, president and chief executive officer of CoBank. “On behalf of our partners in the Farm Credit System, we’re so pleased to be able to support the Red Cross with this contribution, and grateful for the work they do helping people in Colorado and around the world.”
When wildfires strike and people need to flee their homes, the Red Cross is there to provide a safe place to stay, a warm meal and emotional support. Since the major wildfires began in June, hundreds of Colorado residents have found a safe haven at Red Cross shelters across the state. The Red Cross and its partners have also served tens of thousands of snacks and meals; distributed well over 21,000 relief items like gloves, masks, clean-up supplies and hygiene items; and logged over 9,000 health and mental health contacts with affected residents and disaster workers.
Pictured above, from left to right: Al Porter, CEO of Farm Credit of New Mexico; Jeff Riley with American Red Cross; Byron Enix, AmericanAg Credit; Bob Engel, CEO of CoBank; Russ Tomky, CEO of Farm Credit of Southern Colorado; Tom Gonzales with American Red Cross; and Rick Sanger, CEO of Premiere Farm Credit.