Credit Unions Collect for Hurricane Matthew

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Oct. 13, 2016) - The Canadian Red Cross and Saskatchewan credit unions today announced that, effective immediately, cash donations to help those affected by Hurricane Matthew will be accepted at participating Saskatchewan credit unions until November 12, 2016.

"The Red Cross is thrilled to once again partner with Saskatchewan credit unions so that the people of Saskatchewan can help those affected by Hurricane Matthew," said Cindy Fuchs, Vice-President of the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan.

More than one million people have been affected and hundreds of thousands are in need of humanitarian assistance. One of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Caribbean in recent history, Matthew's torrential rains and winds have flooded towns and roads, destroyed homes and buildings and collapsed one of the main bridges to the south west of Haiti, making the worst affected areas extremely difficult to reach.

Haitians have been left in extremely vulnerable conditions, with early indications of heavy flooding and extensive damage to housing, infrastructure and crops. There will be a great need for healthcare and access to clean drinking water, as the potential for waterborne illnesses and disease outbreaks will be high following heavy rains and flooding.

In addition to Haiti, Red Cross response teams in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas and the United States have also been mobilized to provide assistance as the powerful storm tears through the region and moves north.

"Saskatchewan credit unions believe in helping communities locally and globally," says Debbie Lane, Executive Vice-President, SaskCentral. "We are pleased to be in a position to support Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane Matthew by collecting donations at our branches in communities across the province."

Canadians wishing to support our efforts can make a financial donation to the Hurricane Matthew Appeal online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office or at any Saskatchewan credit union branch.