WFTV 9 Family Connection wants to urge you to support the Mid-Florida Region Red Cross and their relief efforts for those impacted by Sandy. There are several ways you can GET INVOLVED!

If you have loved ones in states affected by Hurricane Sandy visit www.redcross.org to register in the Safe and Well program. This program helps people connect with loved ones far away to know they are safe.

Nearly 11,000 people spent Monday night in 258 Red Cross shelters in 16 states – New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Indiana, Michigan. Mid-Florida Region deployed seven volunteers this past weekend and 10 volunteers with 5 ERV’s yesterday. More may be deployed later this week as needs are assessed and flights resume.

You can also donate directly to the  Red Cross in any of the following ways:

1.    Visit redcross.org and give online

2.    Call 1-800-RedCross and give by phone

3.    Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give a $10 donation

4.    Contributions may also be sent to Mid-Florida Region Red Cross (5 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 32803) or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013

You can also download the American Red Cross Hurricane App via the App Store for iPhone users and via Google Play Store for Android users. This tool helps people find shelters as well as receive alerts for their specific area. For Floridians, this is a tool all smartphone users should have to get prepared and be informed.