Sponsors Sought for Red Cross Piper Puppies

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross has introduced the newest and cutest tool to help local children affected by disasters such as home fires.

Not only will "Piper the Puppy" bring comfort to a child on the curb after a fire, it will also serve as a new and creative funding stream for the local chapter.

According to a press release from the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Red Cross, for a donation of $100, "Piper the Puppy" can be adopted and will bring comfort to a scared child who has lost everything in a home fire or other disaster.

While the child is being comforted by "Piper the Puppy", donors can take comfort in knowing that their $100 gift truly turns compassion into action.

The $100 gift will provide shelter, three meals, a cot, two blankets and basic hygiene items for one day to someone who loses everything when his or her home is destroyed by a disaster.

The first Pipers were deployed to a Progress Village family with six children whose home was destroyed by a fire last week. The children ages 1 to 14 each received a Piper; the 4-year-old girl renamed hers Sparkle. They were overjoyed to have a cuddly toy to comfort them after losing all of their belongings.

How Piper the Puppy Works

1. Donors make a $100 donation to the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter.

2. The Red Cross writes the donor's name or the name of a loved one on Piper's paw and then places him on one of the mobile response vehicles.

3. Volunteers hand out the adopted "Piper the Puppy" to a child affected by a disaster.

4. An alert is sent to the donor when their Piper has been deployed.

The concept for "Piper the Puppy" is the brainchild of Suzy Bashore, an American Red Cross donor and volunteer in Dallas. Piper was designed by Phebe Phillips (www.phebephillips.com).

Linda Carbone, CEO for the Tampa Bay Chapter and Florida's West Coast Region met Bashore at a national Tiffany Circle event and was decided to bring Piper to Tampa Bay.

"This is the most exciting and wonderful way to help a child who has been traumatized and desperately needs comfort," said Carbone. "Piper is the perfect way to help that child and supply the means for the Red Cross to help their family."

When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross works to turn heartbreak into hope. Families may find themselves homeless, with little or no clothing or food. The Red Cross answers their call for help and makes sure they have a place to sleep, food to eat, clothing to wear and shoes on their feet.

While the first priority of the Red Cross is to take care of the affected
family's immediate needs, the work does not stop there. Certain groups of people, like children, may need extra consideration or care. Children may struggle through the fear and uncertainty of the disaster.They do not understand what is happening, why they cannot go home or why all their things are gone.

Piper the Puppy will be another way for to provide comfort and care to children affected by disasters. Through Piper, donors can also be a part of a child's recovery process.

For information on how to adopt "Piper the Puppy", visit
www.flwestcoastredcross.org or call contact Linda Biller at 813-868-7667.