The Blade, WTVG-TV partner with Red Cross for phone bank

9/8/2017

In this photo taken Thursday, damage is left after Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda. The Blade, WTVG-TV and the Red Cross are collaborating for a phone bank starting Monday morning to fundraise for victims of the hurricane.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Blade is partnering with WTVG-TV, Channel 13, and the American Red Cross Monday for a telephone bank to raise money and provide disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Irma.

Volunteers from the Red Cross will accept donations at the television station’s studios on Dorr Street, just west of Richards Road, starting Monday morning and throughout the day. The phone number will be announced Monday.

“In times like these, everyone needs to come together to help out,” said Kurt Franck, interim general manager, vice president, and executive editor of The Blade. “The Blade is honored to join 13 ABC and the Red Cross to raise funds with the help of the people in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.”

Volunteers from northwest Ohio are already responding to the impending disaster in Florida from Hurricane Irma, just as they did in Texas after Hurricane Harvey.

WTVG-TV News Director Brian Trauring said the station has conducted phone banks for previous major disasters.

“We've always found the people of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to be extremely generous and supportive,” he said.