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FARMINGTON, CONN., January 7, 2010 – A major lead gift from The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The Hartford) will support Red Cross disaster relief work in the wake of a major fire that heavily damaged a building on Willard Street in Hartford on January 6. The Hartford’s gift is in the amount of $25,000.
The Wednesday afternoon fire damaged a 110-unit building and displaced approximately 177 people, many of whom on Thursday afternoon were still not sure when or if they could return to their apartments.
The Hartford made the donation January 7, while the Red Cross was providing shelter and food to displaced families and meeting with families one-on-one to assess their immediate needs in the wake of the fire.
Since 7:00 p.m. on January 6, 45 Red Cross volunteers have supported the relief operation. Nearly 40 building tenants were provided shelter and food overnight. Throughout the day Thursday, building tenants have been meeting with Red Cross caseworkers and counselors.
Connie Weaver, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at The Hartford, made the announcement of the gift. "As we have for 200 years, The Hartford and its employees are taking quick action to help its neighbors through this very difficult period. We encourage the community to come together to support those in need in our own backyard."
Connecticut Chapter CEO Dianne Auger thanked The Hartford for the donation. “Red Cross disaster relief is a gift to victims, made possible by the work of volunteers and generous donations such as this. We are grateful to The Hartford for stepping up and proactively making this gift in support of their neighbors.” Auger said the Chapter estimates the total cost of the response to this fire will exceed $100,000.
Help people affected by disasters like the Hartford Willard Street fire by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.ctredcross.org. |
