Iowa and Nebraska are opponents on the football field Friday, and residents of the two states can engage in a friendly competition to raise money for disaster victims.
Red Cross spokesperson Danelle Schlegelmilch says fans of both teams can text either “NEBRASKA” or “IOWA” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross. “In the past, when hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes have happened we’ve been able to raise millions of dollars through text campaigns,” Schlegelmilch said. “I don’t know if we’ll get millions of dollars (with this campaign), but every penny helps at the Red Cross.”
The special text campaign runs through tomorrow. Schlegelmilch says the $10 will show up on your cell phone bill and the money will go toward Red Cross relief efforts in Iowa or Nebraska, depending on which state name you text to 90999.
“Ten dollars can help feed a person after a disaster strikes, help with blood supplies or help military families. That ten dollars can go a long way…when people get together and chip in a little bit, it makes a big difference,” Schlegelmilch said.
The American Red Cross and Hy-Vee are sponsoring Friday’s Heroes Game in Lincoln, by recognizing one Iowan and one Nebraskan at halftime of the game between the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers. The “heroes” were nominated by residents of both states.