For the second straight year, partners American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide proved there is success in numbers by spreading the word about fire safety in 13 different neighborhoods on Martin Luther King Day. More than 230 volunteers from the community canvassed Milwaukee neighborhoods where a home fire occurred in 2009 and distributed 9,000 fire-safety door hangers to residents.

Volunteers walked door-to-door distributing fire-safety door hangers and talked with community residents about fire safety in neighborhoods that experienced home fires. The door hangers are filled with fire safety tips, information about smoke alarms and creating an escape plan and directions on how to cook and heat a home safely in the winter.

HOPE member and former baseball great, Larry Hisle, made a special appearance as the guest speaker. Hisle played 14 years in Major League Baseball, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and four years with the Milwaukee Brewers. Today Hisle works with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Community Relations Department.

About HOPE worldwide:
HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. In North America, HOPE worldwide operates 99 chapters and works in cooperation with over 135 churches that provide more than 20,000 volunteers. The organization’s volunteers mobilize to help their communities with issues of disaster preparedness and relief, education, children, seniors, employment and community outreach.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.