"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Contribute $10,000 to American Red Cross

TULSA, OK - The Cherokee Nation recently contributed $10,000 to the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross, where it was distributed among Red Cross chapters providing services to communities in the tribe’s 14-county jurisdictional area.

“The Cherokee Nation is honored to help organizations that provide help to Cherokee citizens and their Oklahoma neighbors in times of need,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The American Red Cross provides assistance to thousands of people every year, and I commend them for all of the work that they do for communities across the United States.”

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. The mission of the organization is to relieve human suffering and equip people with the skills to stay safe.

According to information from the organization, the group opened 35 shelters and provided care and assistance to more than, 2,000 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma during the ice storm of December 2007. The Cherokee Nation Emergency Management program coordinated efforts with the group during the time of need.

“Making contributions to organizations such as the Red Cross, that work to enhance the communities in which Cherokee citizens and Oklahomans live, is important to the vitality of the tribe and to Oklahoma,” said Smith.

“On behalf of the thousands of Oklahomans we serve, the Red Cross would like to thank the Cherokee Nation for its generous gift,” said Mary C. Ogle, CEO of the American Red Cross Tulsa Area Chapter. “Because of this support, the Red Cross will be able to continue helping victims of disasters.”