Red Cross Relief In Higher Gear

(CBS)  The American Red Cross relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina have moved into a more advanced phase, according to the organization's president.

Marty Evans

tells

The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen that money is beginning to get into the hands of victims, and an online service that helps them find missing relatives is humming.

"Our initial goal was to provide shelter and food, to help people get to the disaster shelters in the safe areas," Evans says. "Now, we're transitioning into additional assistance.

"(Thursday), in the Astrodome, we are launching a client assistance card system, where families can get additional financial relief. We expect in the next two days to help all of the families in the Astrodome, and then expand that. And on Saturday, we are expanding the financial assistance system to include a phone-in process, working with Western Union.

"So, the generous donations of the American public are being translated (Thursday) into actual cash assistance, which will be a huge help."

What's more, the Red Cross is helping more victims find their loved ones. How does the system work?

Say Evans, "If someone will call 1 877 LOVED 1s, or go online at redcross.org, they can either register themselves – it's very important to do that, so that you're in the system, you're alive and you're someplace -- or you can register a missing person.

"We have well over 100,000 registered at this point. I think, for me, the most thrilling thing last Monday was to be in the computer room when someone logged on and found a missing relative. It was very, very, very exciting."

She noted that other Web sites have popped up, performing the same service.

Evans adds that the Red Cross still needs volunteers. It has 26,000, but it's launching a nationwide recruitment campaign for 40,000.

To make a donation 1-800-HELP NOW.