With the holiday season upon us, we naturally give thanks for the many blessings of the year. At the American Red Cross, we are thankful that thousands of lives and families were spared the tragedy of hurricanes and other major disasters, and that thousands more took heed of the message to be prepared. For the first year since 1994, no hurricane made landfall in the continental United States.

But every day, 63,000 times a year in Nassau County alone, Red Cross volunteers respond to the "small" disasters, such as house fires, that are just as tragic to the families who suffer from the devastation. The Red Cross provides temporary shelter, food, clothing, emotional support and more so that families can begin the difficult task of putting their lives back together.

And the Red Cross remains part of our community every day, providing lifesaving services, such as CPR and first aid training, vital blood and blood products, water safety lessons, disaster preparedness education and a lifeline between military service members and their families. Lives are saved because a person took a Red Cross class and knew how to react in an emergency.

We take many of these services for granted, but we shouldn't. Contrary to what many believe, the American Red Cross relies on community support. The Red Cross is not a government agency. With 45 volunteers for every paid staff person, the Red Cross is one of the most efficient nonprofit organizations in the country and is able to put your support to work effectively and efficiently.

Please join us this holiday season by supporting the American Red Cross. It is only through your generous support that we can continue to live up to our promise that, together, we'll be there. To make a donation, call the American Red Cross in Nassau County at 747-3500. I invite those interested in learning more about the Nassau Chapter to visit our Web site, www.NassauRedCross.org.

Victor C. Hackett, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

American Red Cross in Nassau County