KCRiverFest Asks Visitors to Support American Red Cross

June 27, 2008 - PRLog -- The flooding disasters which affected thousands of people in the Midwest have seriously depleted the resources of the American Red Cross, and KCRiverFest organizers want to send help upstream.

“Our organization, Friends of the River—Kansas City (FOR-KC) was founded to enhance and protect our own riverfront, so when the massive flooding occurred and we learned of the needs of the American Red Cross, we wanted to help,” said George Pisciotta,  FOR—KC President.

FOR-KC, which created and sponsors KCRiverFest, reached out to the American Red Cross. “We asked if we could help by collecting donations during KCRiverFest July 3 & 4 on the Riverfront at Berkley Park,” he said. The American Red Cross will place donation buckets at KCRiverFest and patrons are asked to donate what they can to help.

According to the American Red Cross, the large number of recent disasters has taken its toll on the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The fund has been largely depleted because over the past two months, the Red Cross has responded to 30 mid-size disasters, and the recent series of flooding and tornadoes in the Central U.S. is expected to cost the American Red Cross more than $25 million. This makes their mission to be on the front lines of the devastation, serving meals, opening shelters, providing emergency financial support and offering cleaning supplies more challenging.

A Red Cross spokesperson stated that even with the depletion of the Disaster Relief Fund, the American public can rest assured that the Red Cross will not cut back on the level of services it provides to its clients. Those who need help can still expect to receive food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up supplies and other emergency assistance.

“Kansas Citians are generous people, and we hope that while they are out on the Riverfront enjoying KCRiverFest that they will give what they can to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund,” said Chris Gutierrez, KCRiverFest chairperson.

Presented by KCTV 5 & myKSMO TV and located at Kansas City’s Berkley Park, KCRiverFest supports Friends of the River--Kansas City, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement and development of the riverfront.

KCRiverFest is open 4-11:30 p.m. on Thursday July 3rd. The festival reopens at 1 p.m. July 4 and closes at the conclusion of the fireworks show at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5.00, children 12 and under are free. KCTV myKSMO TV and Cumulus radio stations will broadcast live from the event.

Paid parking is available off the I-35 exit on Front Street at $10 per car, per day. Free shuttles will also transport festival guests directly to the park. Pick-up and drop-off locations are at stops on Third Street and Grand Avenue, Fifth Street and Grand Avenue, and Seventh Street and Grand Avenue. Watch for the yellow buses, which run continuously during festival hours. Strollers, blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Pets, coolers and firearms are prohibited.

For a complete schedule and detailed information about entertainment, attractions and parking, visit the KCRiverFest website at www.KCRiverFest.com.

Sponsors for KCRiverFest include KCTV 5 myKSMO, the Port Authority of Kansas City, Isle of Capri Casino, Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund, EventPros, Inc., Time Warner Cable, 101 the Fox, 95.7 the Vibe, 105.1 JackFM, Magic 107.3, KCMO 710 Talk Radio, 94.9 KCMO, Urban Times Magazine, Radio Disney, Burns & McDonnell, Hertz, King Hershey Attorneys at Law, Clarkson Construction, BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas City, The Session Law Firm, BNSF, DST, Kansas City Terminal Railway, HNTB, U.S. Army, The Muriel McBride Kauffman Foundation, Cold Storage Lofts and the VIEW Condo Association, McCownGordon Construction, Sprenger McCullough & Co., Kansas City Southern, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP, Central States Beverage Company, Liberty R.V., Lockton Insurance, Commerce Bank, RuUrbanKC and the Twin Lakes Insurance Agency.

Friends of the River-Kansas City (FOR-KC) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the heritage and to promote the development of the Kansas City riverfront through education, community outreach, volunteer commitment and fundraising.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

KCRiverFest is produced by EventPros, your creative events and meeting solutions resource. Visit the website at www.EventProsInc.com.

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EventPros creates and manages comprehensive meeting, event and trade show solutions. Visit the website at www.EventProsInc.com for details.