In partnership with the Triangle Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, WRAL-TV quickly established an on-air solicitation and online campaign to raise money for medical supplies, rescue operations and recovery. Since January 12, viewers have donated a total of $176,330 which includes $63,441 donated in just two hours during the WRAL Disaster Relief telethon.

Every dollar will be funneled into Haiti through the American Red Cross, working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.

“The Red Cross is overwhelmed with the outpouring of compassion and support that WRAL-TV and its loyal viewers have shown through their generous contributions to the disaster relief fund for Haiti,” said Barry Porter, regional executive for the Triangle Red Cross. “We are grateful for the trust that our community places in WRAL-TV and the American Red Cross to assure that the money they generously donate goes to help people survive this devastating earthquake in Haiti.”

WRAL Vice President and General Manager Steven D. Hammel says this kind of generosity is what North Carolina is all about. “When we ask our viewers to give what they can for people in need, whether locally or across the world, they always come through. The devastation, tragedy and human suffering in Haiti is unimaginable. We are grateful our viewers answered the call for help.”  

The station’s relief effort continues: http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/page/6808988/

To give online, click on http://american.redcross.org/wral.

Mail a check, made payable to the American Red Cross with “WRAL Disaster Relief” in the memo section, to:
American Red Cross
Triangle Area Chapter
100 N. Peartree Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610

Make a donation over the phone, 24 hours a day by calling:
919-231-1602 OR toll-free, 1-800-Red-Cross / 1-800- 733-2767

Reporter Bryan Mims, photographer Tom Normanly and engineer Tony Gupton  imbedded with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne deployed to Port-Au-Prince. Their coverage of the relief efforts can be seen on WRAL-TV and WRAL.com. Follow their blog here: http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/blog/6816684/

Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Shelly Leslie for this capcom story.