WASHINGTON, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Early reports indicate the 2010 hurricane season may see three to seven major storms, and the American Red Cross is getting prepared with the help of the corporations that are members of the organization's Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP).

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Members of the ADGP pledge donations on an ongoing basis, in advance of major disasters. These companies understand that proper supplies and systems have to be in place to respond effectively. With pre-positioned supplies ready, the Red Cross can immediately take action when disasters, such as hurricanes, strike.  

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2010 hurricane season will see above-average activity in the Atlantic. NOAA estimates that 14-23 named storms, 8-14 hurricanes and 3-7 major hurricanes will occur during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, officially beginning June 1 and ending November 30.

"We want to thank our Annual Disaster Giving Program members for helping us to be ready for any disasters that occur in 2010," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Their generous contributions over the past decade allow us to get immediate relief to victims before the first donations come in."

Working with partners around the globe, the American Red Cross also helps to build the local capacities of sister Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, by collaborating to train and organize volunteers and educate communities, and establish partnerships with other public and private organizations to strengthen and complement core international services and initiatives.

During a domestic disaster, the Red Cross sends volunteers and supplies into affected areas to shelter, feed and provide emotional support to disaster victims and emergency personnel. Generous gifts from ADGP members offset a range of expenses, including warehousing supplies, shelter and feeding costs, deploying the fleet of disaster response vehicles and reconnecting individuals separated during disasters.

ADGP Partners:

Altria Group

American Express

AXA Foundation

ConAgra Foods

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

FedEx Corporation

GE Foundation

General Motors Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation

John Deere Foundation

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Merck

Morgan Stanley

Nationwide Insurance Foundation

Ryder Charitable Foundation

State Farm

State Street Foundation

Target

The TJX Companies, Inc.

UnitedHealthcare

UPS

People can join the Annual Disaster Giving Program members in supporting the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and help provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross

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