Wisconsin athletics and American Family team up to support Red Cross Louisiana flood relief
Devastating floods have damaged more than 70,000 homes
On Sept. 3, the day the Wisconsin Badger football team takes on LSU, text LAFLOODS to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Louisiana flood relief. American Family Insurance will match donations made Sept. 3 - up to $50,000.
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin and LSU will meet at Lambeau Field in Green Bay this Saturday in one of the most anticipated games of the 2016 season. But with more than 70,000 homes in Southeastern Louisiana damaged by torrential rain and devastating floods, the Badgers are looking to support their Sept. 3 foe and their fans.
Wisconsin Athletics and American Family Insurance are partnering to help raise awareness and support for the American Red Cross as the organization continues to help victims of the flooding. UW and American Family Insurance are urging people to donate to the Red Cross by texting LAFLOODS to 90999. Each text results in a $10 donation to the Red Cross relief efforts in Louisiana.
In addition, American Family Insurance has pledged to match the donations made on Saturday, Sept. 3 up to $50,000.
“Our hearts go out to the people affected by the flooding in Louisiana,” UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. “When something like this happens, it puts a football game into perspective. Seeing the damage and the many families affected all around the state and within the city of Baton Rouge, we wanted to be able to help in some manner. We are proud to be partnering with American Family Insurance and the Red Cross on this initiative.”
“Helping people when they need us most is at the core of our mission,” says Jim Buchheim, Communications Vice President at American Family Insurance. “By supporting efforts to provide much needed relief services to individuals, families and communities, we hope to help restore the dreams of people devastated by the flooding in Louisiana.”
“The flooding in Louisiana has brought devastation and uncertainty to tens of thousands of people,” said Elizabeth Penniman, vice president of Communications for the American Red Cross. “Thanks to the generosity of partners like Wisconsin Athletics and American Family Insurance, the Red Cross has been able to support more than 63,000 overnight shelter stays and we still have shelters open, we continue to distribute relief supplies and provide comfort to people hit hard by this historic event.”
More than 3,200 Red Crossers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have tirelessly supported relief efforts since the flooding began. As of the end of August the Red Cross and its partners have served more than 716,000 meals and snacks, distributed more than 410,000 relief items, handled more than 30,000 calls from people needing help and provided more than 24,000 health services & emotional support contacts.
Shelters continue to stay open with people still seeking refuge in Red Cross shelters. As many as 100 Red Cross Response vehicles continue to fan through the affected neighborhoods to distribute food, water and relief supplies. The flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to hit the U. S. since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and this is the second time in five months that Louisiana has seen more than 24 inches of rain during a single storm. They truly need help.
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