Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan called the party’s 39th quadrennial nominating convention to order Monday afternoon, kicking off a subdued first session in light of Hurricane Gustav making landfall in the Gulf Coast.

In his opening remarks, Duncan asked the GOP delegates to keep those in Louisiana and other areas affected by the hurricane in mind and then asked that they take out their cell phone and donate directly to the Red Cross relief efforts by texting “GIVE” to the address “2HELP.”

The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) sent a text message to supporters Monday asking that they donate to the Red Cross.

“Barack asks that you give to the Red Cross: give 5 dollars by texting GIVE to 24357 or give more by calling 1-800-435-7669 or at redcross.org/donate,” the message read.