Riverside Community To Come Together on Sept. 20 for Hurricane Relief
Published: 09/12/2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 12, 2017
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Communications Officer
Riverside Community To Come Together on Sept. 20 for Hurricane Relief
“Riverside Gives” will be a daylong effort to raise money and donate blood for hurricane victims
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Riverside’s local government, business community and non-profit organizations will come together on Sept. 20 for “Riverside Gives,” a 12-hour giving spree to raise money and donate blood for victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
“Riverside is a giving community, and we have seen on the news that the need definitely exists,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “I encourage all Riversiders to take a few moments out of their day on Sept. 20 to stop by the Convention Center and do what you can to help our fellow Americans.”
The event is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center, Fifth and Main Streets in downtown Riverside. The blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Blood donations can be made on a walk-in basis or by appointment by calling 888-831-0031, ext. 1007.
The public is encouraged to come by during that 12-hour window to make a financial donation, donate blood or both. The American Red Cross will ensure that the donations are used to provide food, shelter and emergency support for hurricane victims.
Organizations involved in the effort include the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Riverside, the American Red Cross, the Office of the Mayor Rusty Bailey and the Riverside Police and Fire departments.
“One of the great things about Riverside is our spirit of giving and always stepping up to help others in need,” said Scott Megna, President, Raincross Hospitality Corporation and General Manager of the Riverside Convention Center. “We are happy to be able to host this important event and help our fellow Americans in tremendous need. We encourage our friends and neighbors to join us for the day and give generously.”
Fourteen Riverside firefighters recently returned for Houston, where they worked as part of California Task Force 6, an urban search and rescue task force, to assist local public safety officials in aiding aid flood victims. Riverside Fire made a similar effort after Hurricane Katrina, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and the Northridge earthquake.
“When disaster strikes, Riverside steps up,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Perry said. “We are proud of the work our firefighters already have done in response to this event, and our community will continue to provide needed support through this day of giving.”
