The giveaway is tomorrow, March 25. We’ve got over 300 comments already, so get in the game quick!

Tropical Storm Hanna
The Big Picture’s photo of the year #4

The American Red Cross obviously responded to Hanna in the United States, but we were also present in hard-hit Gonaives, Haiti.

Sichuan, China Earthquake
The Big Picture photo of the year (part 1) #6

The American Red Cross has contributed $14 million to support the relief and recovery efforts of the Red Cross Society of China.

Central US Floods and Tornadoes
The Big Picture photo of the year (part 1) #9

The Central US Floods and Tornadoes made our own list of the Top 5 Disasters of 2008 as it caused the worst US flooding episode in over a decade. The American Red Cross provided shelters, meals, clean-up and comfort kits, mental health contacts and more.

California Wildfires
The Big Picture photo of the year (part 1) #19

As wildfires raced across many parts of Southern California, Red Cross volunteers opened the doors of shelters to ensure evacuees had a safe place to rest.

Cyclone Nargis
The Big Picture photo of the year (part 1) #21

The American Red Cross has provided more than $2 million to support relief efforts in Myanmar. Numerous plane and boat loads of supplies— such as nearly 20,000 tarps, 8,800 kitchen sets, 70,000 insecticide-treated bed nets, 15,000 hygiene kits, 25,000 blankets and 30,000 water containers— have arrived in Yangon. The American Red Cross also provided $250,000 in financial assistance and deployed an international disaster response worker to help with relief and recovery efforts.

Hurricane Ike
The Big Picture photo of the year (part 2) #20

Thousands of Red Cross staff and volunteers were in the storm-affected areas, offering those who were in Hurricane Ike’s path a safe place to stay, food, toiletries and a comforting ear.

It’s a great holiday gift idea for those on your gift list who are Facebook-obsessed.

To reiterate just how important the Campaign for Disaster Relief is, Mother Nature is handing much of the United States some winter doozies right now. Your American Red Cross is providing services such as warming centers, shelters, and food and blankets in the affected areas.

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Stay tuned to our Disaster Online Newsroom for more specific updates.

The National Day of Giving has arrived!

Yours truly is putting on layers now to head out to our 17th Street building here in DC with all of my colleagues. I’ll try to report back later with pictures.

In the meantime – do your part!

Your incentive (besides feeling good that you’ve just made someone affected by a disaster a little more comfortable) ?

If you donate $100 or more today you’ll receive an official vintage first aid kit.

Here are our favorites from the past few days:

trexsandwich: I’m now half an inch away from being a Red Cross volunteer. Excitement! Danger! Passion?

examorata: Why yes, Red Cross, you may have some more of my exceedingly healthy blood!

SiobhanK524: While I was at fire, EMT told me Red Cross did a great job when her family lost their home when she was 7. Warm fuzzies in 10 deg. weather.

yesbailey: Just reached the 1-gallon mark donating blood with Red Cross! Donors are crucial, especially this time of year. Make it a holiday tradition!

spelcher: http://twitpic.com/r66f – One of our favorite donors – Anheuser who makes “BUD WHITE” water for Red Cross disaster relief operations

>> Follow the Red Cross on Twitter

We’ve been talking about (and encouraging you social media leaders to help) the Campaign for Disaster Relief for the past couple of months. The goal is to raise $100 million and we’re almost there.

We’ve raised nearly $70 million and have $30 million to go.

To inspire you, our President and CEO Gail McGovern recorded a video message about this 30 days.

>>Sign up to receive messages like this via email

He’s a devout Michigan fan who has renounced his loyalty and is auctioning off his collegiate fandom to the highest bidder.

He’ll donate 80% of the profits to the Disaster Relief Fund.

If you’re the highest bidder by the December 2 deadline, you’ll get to decide who he roots for in the future and you’ll receive the following items:

Interview with Disgruntled Michigan Fan

1. Why did you decide to auction off your Michigan allegiance?

I have been an avid University of Michigan fan for my entire life. In 2001, my employer moved my to Northeast Ohio. Since then, Michigan has been pitiful, and the Buckeye fans are really good at constantly reminding me of it. In fact, I would say that Buckeye fans in Northeast Ohio are a quite aggressive bunch! After I put some thought into it, I figured this auction would be a fun way of raising some funds for the American Red Cross – as well as helping me stay sane in the heart of Buckeye country.

2. Which school do you hope wins your affections?

I just hope it isn’t Ohio State.

3. Why did you decide to donate the proceeds from this auction to the Disaster Relief Fund?

I work with our local Red Cross representative, helping to organize the blood drives at my place of employment. I greatly respect the Red Cross and their focus on saving lives. I don’t think people realize the impact the American Red Cross when it comes to helping those in need. The Red Cross was a perfect fit, and I was fortunate that they have partnered with eBay. It was an easy choice.

Obviously, we think you should bid immediately.

Anyway, this here is the most update statistical report from hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

The numbers are staggering.