MEDIA RELEASE
CIVIL AIR PATROL NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

last modified: Friday, January 21, 2005
original release date:
1/18/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Air Patrol launches Tsunami Relief Project
to support American Red Cross 
MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Civil Air Patrol members are heeding the call to help millions of families in South Asia and Eastern Africa, victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed more than 150,000 people and destroyed countless homes and businesses.

The American Red Cross announced Jan. 7 that it needs an approximately $400 million to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of tsunami victims. CAP is responding to this challenge by establishing the CAP Tsunami Relief Project. The donations made by approximately 60,000 members of CAP will benefit tsunami relief efforts through the American Red Cross International Response Fund .

“As volunteers deeply involved in disaster relief, we -- more than others -- understand the enormity of the task facing the world relief organizations,” said Maj. Gen. Dwight H. Wheless, CAP national commander. “I challenge all Civil Air Patrol members and units to seriously consider making tsunami financial relief a major goal until emergency needs are met.”

In coordination with other global partners, the Red Cross uses resources from its International Response Fund for such needs as emergency and supplemental food aid; safe drinking water and sanitation; vaccinations and healthcare; personal goods such as sleeping mats, blankets, sheets and mosquito nets; personal hygiene kits and mental health counseling.

“The American Red Cross has performed admirably during the tsunami disaster. Their resources have been stretched to the limit. Join me in contributing to the Red Cross and praying for the people who have lost family members, homes and livelihood,” said Chaplain Col. Charles Sharp, chief, CAP chaplain service.

CAP will present the proceeds from its Tsunami Relief Project to the American Red Cross at CAP’s Winter National Board meeting March 1 – 5, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

CAP members can make individual donations to the fund. They can also pool their contributions and donate in the name of their units.  Contributions can be mailed or faxed to the following address:

CAP NHQ/FM
105 S. Hansell St., Bldg. 714
Maxwell AFB, Al. 36112
Fax (334) 953-6777   

A contribution form is available for download here.

Checks should be made payable to Civil Air Patrol: Tsunami Relief Project. If using a credit or debit card, donors should be sure to include the card number, name as listed on the card, and expiration date. All gifts will be receipted and are tax-deductible.

A new federal law (Public Law 109-1) enacted on January 7, 2005, allows donations received by Jan. 31, 2005 to be listed as deductions during the 2004 tax year. This new law gives taxpayers the option of deducting their contributions in either 2004 or 2005, but not both.

Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with almost 60,000 members nationwide. It performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 60 years and frequently collaborates with the American Red Cross in stateside disaster relief work.

For more information on Civil Air Patrol, visit www.cap.gov.

For more information on the American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.

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Media Inquiries:

Melanie LeMay
Public Relations Specialist
National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol
334.953.5320
334.953.4245 fax
mlemay@cap.gov