Thomas Tate and The American Red Cross

• The American Red Cross is an international emergency response organization that was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1881, and has continued to expand its global reach and services through contributions from citizens like Martha Vineyard’s Thomas Tate.

• Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Red Cross has mobilized its resources to numerous east coast locations, where over 9,900 disaster workers and more than 320 response vehicles have been deployed, in addition to the distribution of approximately 6.4 million meals and snacks, and 3.6 million relief items.

• The Martha Vineyard’s chapter of the Red Cross, officially known as the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, has recently sent 41 volunteers, including emergency vehicle drivers, to various Hurricane Sandy relief sites throughout New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

• The Martha’s Vineyard chapter has also held various fundraising events throughout the area with proceeds donated to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.

• The Cape Cod and Islands Chapter of the Red Cross has served the area since 1917 and, through generous donations from individuals like Thomas Tate, is hoping to train enough volunteers and provide enough emergency shelter for up to 3,000 Island residents or visitors in 2013.