Story by Daneil Mulhern/American Red Cross – Updated by Bill Fortune
Update: June 5, 2019 – The Emergency Response Vehicle traveled to central Oklahoma and was assigned the task of delivering emergency supplies to some of the areas hit hard by tornadoes. John Walsh and Ken Harnett have been putting the new ERV through its paces on the maiden voyage. “It [ERV] is easy to drive and carries a big load so we are helping a lot of people,” said John Walsh.
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May 24, 2019, our new “ship” departed on its first journey to provide critical relief to those affected by the floods and tornados in Oklahoma. That initial journey with any vessel is always an important one and this journey, unlike a passenger ship or plane is even more so. This voyage will bring essential nourishing meals, supplies, basic health services and emotional support to those in dire need during the aftermath of tremendous flooding and multiple tornados in the Oklahoma region.
Because of the generosity during our 2018 Heroes Soiree and especially the enduring support of the Colorado energy and finance industries, American Red Cross workers can quickly respond to help people facing these disasters. Next Generation ERVs allow the Red Cross to travel and provide aid when and where it is urgently needed. These vehicles are vital to carrying out the work of the Red Cross in some of the most devastated areas of a natural disaster. Our disaster response team is excited to receive this upgraded, modern Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and to utilize its resources at a time when it is so desperately needed.
Each year our Heroes Soiree raises over $500k and our “fund a need” in 2019 was for a Next Generation ERV. A challenge grant of $50k from DCP Midstream, combined with the generous giving from an abundance of event attendees, brought to fruition this incredible vehicle taking its maiden voyage to Oklahoma in response to the recent disasters.
This Next Generation Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) will provide extraordinary support and greater efficiency for our disaster response team, ultimately bringing help and hope to people in need and we could not be more grateful to those who have brought this to fruition. We encourage you to follow the progress of this maiden voyage and see your generous donations hard at work to help others in need during this traumatic time.
Since 2014 the majority of support through the American Red Cross Heroes Soiree has come from the energy and finance industries. We want not only thank all that support the Red Cross through the Soiree but especially recognize these two industries and the following companies that generously give to the American Red Cross:
- Adamantine Energy
- Alpine Bank
- Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
- Atmos Energy Corporation
- BPX Energy
- CoBank
- Colorado Oil & Gas Association
- DCP Midstream
- First Bank
- Great-West Financial
- IMA Financial Group
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Liberty Oilfield Services
- Nationwide
- Noble Energy
- Northern Trust
- PDC Energy
- PNC Bank
- QEP Resources
- Swick & Associates
- Xcel Energy