Local Red Cross and Pittsburgh Steelers Partner to Raise Funds for Local Disaster Relief During Sunday's Game Against Philadelphia

Donations will remain in local jurisdiction to help families affected by disasters

PITTSBURGH – The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will be collecting donations at Sunday's Pittsburgh Steelers game to support local disaster relief efforts.

Collections will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26 and volunteers will be located at all gates, suite entrances and the Coca-Cola Great Hall. 

"The Steelers have a long history of working with the American Red Cross in times of need," said Red Cross CEO Tim Tassone. "In recent memory, we collected in response to both the Indonesian tsunami and the 2005 hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast. But it's important that our communities understand that we respond to disasters on a daily basis – here in our local neighborhoods – and they will be helping us continue to be able to provide our vital services in times of need."

"The Red Cross has a well-earned reputation for its outstanding work in responding to disasters," said Steelers' president Art Rooney II. "We are proud to continue working with the Red Cross to help the needy throughout Western Pennsylvania."

The chapter responds to a local disaster nearly every 22 hours and the monies raised will go toward helping families and individuals recover. The Red Cross response to local disasters is to provide for the immediate disaster-caused needs such as safe shelter, clean clothing, groceries and sometimes medical needs or emotional support. 

#####

 The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter helps more than 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.  Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 350 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 45,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills.  The American Red Cross, a United Way Partner Agency,  is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters.  It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies.  To donate or volunteer, call 1-888-217-9599, or visit online at swpa.redcross.org.