More than 100 attendees raised their hands to contribute to the purchase of a new van for Disaster Services volunteers at the 2010 American Red Cross Brave Hearts event on March 28. The van, which is used by Red Cross volunteers who respond to more than 400 fires each year, is customized to accommodate the needs of those displaced by disaster.

In total, attendees at Brave Hearts, an annual event at which community members are honored for heroic acts, raised more than $27,000 for the specialized van that will be dispatched to home fires in Milwaukee County starting June 15. The van is equipped with a raised roof to protect families from the elements when they cannot re-enter their homes. It also provides a space for volunteers to meet with disaster clients to assess their immediate needs and supply them with items they may have forgotten inside their homes, such as jackets, shoes, and other essentials.

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.