On August 18, the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a fire on West National Avenue. Though the call was routine, there was nothing routine about the size of the Red Cross disaster relief effort that followed. 

 Though the fire was confined to a few apartments, none of the residents of the 52-unit apartment building could return to their homes. Many residents had a place to stay, but 30 people needed shelter.

That's where the Red Cross' Disaster Services volunteers came in. They set up a shelter at the Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center. For the next seven days, Red Cross volunteers provided 1,485 meals and more than 1,000 snacks. Volunteers also provided mental health, casework and health services for displaced residents until they could find alternate housing.

This relief operation was a team effort, with 52 households from the apartment building receiving assistance from Red Cross Mass Care, Material Support Services, Casework, Health and Mental Health Services volunteers. Would you like to become part of this dedicated team of volunteers? Visit our volunteer web page today!