FAIRBANKS, July 10, 2019 — The American Red Cross of Alaska has been on the ground in Interior Alaska since the Shovel Creek Fire began, providing comfort, meals, shelter and support to residents affected by the fire.

SHELTERING & SERVICE DELIVERY

In conjunction with Fairbanks North Star Borough and Alaska Department of Natural Resources officials, the Red Cross of Alaska will be closing the emergency shelter located at Randy Smith Middle School (1401 Bainbridge Blvd.) in Fairbanks at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 10 as families are able to return to their homes. Red Cross volunteers will remain on standby to assist if the need arises. Since the Shovel Creek Fire began, the Red Cross has:

• Served 1000 meals and snacks to those affected alongside partners.
• Provided 37 overnight stays in the Red Cross Shovel Creek Fire emergency shelter.   
• Mobilized more than 25 Red Cross of Alaska disaster workers to support residents affected by the fire.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Across the nation, one in every 200 Americans is a Red Cross volunteer. Here is Alaska, volunteers strengthen communities, gain valuable experience and support their fellow Alaskans when they need it the most.

“One thing that I have discovered about the volunteers at the Red Cross is that we all have the same heart,” said Rosita Bryant-Wilburn, Fairbanks resident and Red Cross of Alaska spiritual care volunteer. “It’s that heart to help others, that heart to reach out and to do whatever it takes to get the job done, to go places that you never dreamed you could go, to do things you never thought you could do, and you do it to help other people.”

For those interested in becoming a shelter volunteer with the Red Cross of Alaska to assist residents following wildfires and other disasters, a “Shelter Fundamentals” training session will be held on Thursday, July 11 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Red Cross of Alaska Far North & Interior Office (3501 S Lathrop St., Suite G, Fairbanks, AK 99701).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Red Cross Emergency App can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hands for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, including emergency shelter locations during a wildfire. Download the app by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your mobile phone app store, texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999, or by visiting redcross.org/apps.

For wildfire preparedness information, download the Red Cross wildfire safety checklist to review with your family, or check out a full list of safety tips on what actions you can take before, during and after a fire has affected your area on the Red Cross of Alaska blog.

For periodic updates on Red Cross operations, please follow the Red Cross of Alaska on social media:

Twitter: @redcrossak

Facebook: @AlaskaRedCross

Website: redcross.org/Alaska  

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters. Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.

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