As we approach this season of thanksgiving, please let me thank the citizens of southwest Minnesota on behalf of those who cannot.The people of southwest Minnesota were extraordinarily generous to the Red Cross during and after the onslaught of hurricanes in Florida and the Southeast this fall, sending donations to the National Disaster Fund via the 800 number, the Internet, or through the Chapter Office. Those donations helped make it possible for the Red Cross to send 33,000 volunteers to serve more than 10,000,000 meals, open 1,750 shelters, and house 427,000 victims.On behalf of the more than 53,000 families you so generously and anonymously helped, thank you for your donations to the American Red Cross. The Southwest Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, with the help of generous donors throughout southwest Minnesota, continues to assist local residents with their needs following disaster, which this past year included house fires, explosions, windstorms and flooded apartments. All Red Cross assistance is a gift to the recipient, and again, on behalf of those local disaster victims who have been helped by the generous residents of southwest Minnesota, thank you for your donations to the local Red Cross.Carol MorganExecutive DirectorSouthwest Minnesota Chapter – American Red Cross