American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

As the howling winds and torrential rains of Hurricane Katrina sped through the Gulf of Mexico, dozens of trained American Red Cross disaster relief workers moved into action preparing - as they always do - to help people when they need it most. For 125 years, the Red Cross has been at the forefront, helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Whether the crisis is big or small, affects your neighborhood or spans the globe - the Red Cross is there at a moment's notice to provide immediate assistance. Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, however, affected more people, over a larger area and to a more profound extent than any previous disaster, testing the organization as no disaster ever has before.

At the height of the relief effort, the Red Cross served more than 995,000 meals in one day, sheltered nearly 500,000 survivors and provided more than 1.4 million families with emergency financial assistance. All of this was made possible by the more than 200,000 volunteers who put their lives on hold for weeks - and even months - to help people whose lives were torn apart hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

What was equally as remarkable was the overwhelming generosity of the American public - and people in communities throughout the world - who donated money to help people they had never even met. Some of the world's most well known companies made significant financial contributions and pushed their capacity to get supplies, equipment and services to relief sites. A collection of celebrities and other public personalities also contributed and encouraged people to donate. Many famous personalities also became involved in philanthropic projects - much like this one - to promote the good work of charitable organizations.

As long as the generosity, caring and willingness to extend a helping hand lives in the American heart, the Red Cross will turn that compassion into action. The Red Cross stands ready, relying on your support to meet the needs of people in your community - and throughout the world.

When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross responds immediately without regard for cost. Whether it's a house fire, a massive tornado, a hurricane or an earthquake, the Red Cross will be there bringing care and comfort to your neighbors across the street and across the country. In order to respond to disaster needs, whenever and wherever they arise, the Red Cross must have resources available in advance. For this reason, the Red Cross maintains a Disaster Relief Fund, so that it can deploy the necessary resources at a moment's notice.

With the purchase of this book, you're helping to ensure that the Red Cross can continue to meet today's needs - and the needs of tomorrow. For every book sold in the United States between now and September 30, 2007, Aerial Communications Group Inc. will donate $2.50 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and $2.50 to Habitat for Humanity International Inc. The American Red Cross will receive a minimum donation of $25,000.

Because of you, the Red Cross is always there to help people when they need it most. When you help the American Red Cross, you help America. Find out more about the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by visiting www.redcross.org.