Nevada Red Cross receives $2 million grant from Incline-based foundation for disaster response
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 4:00pm
The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada announced Wednesday it received a $2 million grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to support the non-profit’s disaster response mission.
This is the Incline Village-based foundation’s first donation to the Red Cross and includes:
— $1 million to fund the Red Cross Western Wildfire response to help people and their animals who have been impacted by the blazes, including domestic pets
— $1 million to support ongoing local disaster relief responses and programs in the Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region
“Dave and Cheryl Duffield have always been tremendous stewards of our community, and this gift will help us to consistently respond to needs created by disasters,” said Mary Powell, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “The donation will support the Red Cross staff and volunteers’ mission to make our communities more resilient to disasters and answer the call when help is needed most.”
The charitable foundation also supports animal welfare causes and organizations, and as part of the grant, will collaborate with the Red Cross of Northern Nevada to advise on the inclusion of pet initiatives in disaster response planning in Nevada, according to Powell.
“The Duffields live in Northern Nevada, and they appreciate local Red Cross efforts to help both animals and people in times of need,” Powell said.
As part of the grant, the Red Cross will provide 10 Nevada Animal Welfare Coalition organizations with the virtual Red Cross Pet First Aid training course.
During last year’s Western Wildfire response, more than 1,100 trained Red Cross volunteers responded to assist those affected by the fires. The volunteers made more than 17,500 interactions with victims providing emotional support, health services, and spiritual care – along with providing meals, a safe place to sleep, and financial assistance.
“We are honored to have been able to assist and support the efforts of the Red Cross during the 2021 wildfires,” said Dave and Cheryl Duffield. “We look forward to our future collaboration and partnership with the Red Cross of Northern Nevada to assist people and their pets during difficult times, including disaster response planning and pet first aid training courses.”
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation:
The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village, Nevada. The Duffields are the founders of Maddie’s Fund, a leading animal welfare foundation dedicated to revolutionizing the status and well-being of companion animals. While the Duffields are long-time benefactors of companion animal causes, the Foundation also allows them to focus their philanthropic efforts in other areas they are passionate about, including supporting military veterans and giving back to their local community.
