WASILLA, AK, August 28, 2019 — The Red Cross of Alaska has been on the ground since the McKinley Fire started, providing comfort, shelter, emotional support and other supplies to those who need it most. As the Red Cross delivers emergency relief, we also think about the future and planning for how to help impacted communities and families recover in the months and years ahead.

RECOVERY CASEWORK & PLANNING

For those whose homes were destroyed in the McKinley Fire, the Red Cross is connecting one-on-one with individuals and families to create recovery plans, navigate complex paperwork and locate help from other agencies. Casework can help in both the immediate aftermath of this disaster and with longer-term recovery needs, and can include things like connecting people with existing social service programs in their community, helping to complete forms and paperwork for assistance or insurance claims, gaining access to counseling, distributing needed relief supplies, identifying child care resources, helping to locate new housing, or providing immediate financial assistance.

Red Cross recovery caseworkers will be available from Thursday, Aug. 29 through Saturday, Aug. 31 at the following locations to provide recovery casework and planning services for those whose homes were destroyed by the fire:

• Upper Susitna Senior Center (16463 Helena Drive, Talkeetna) from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Curtis D Menard Memorial Sports Center (1001 S Clapp St, Wasilla) from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

From Sunday, Sept. 1 through Tuesday, Sept. 3, Red Cross recovery casework and planning services will be available from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. by appointment at either the Upper Susitna Senior Center or the Menard Sports Center. Red Cross caseworkers can be reached for appointments at 907-764-2407.

DISTRIBUTION OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

The Red Cross of Alaska will continue to distribute emergency relief supplies like water, masks, storage totes, tarps, trash bags, shovels, rakes, brooms, sifters and gloves to those who need them in the following locations from Thursday, Aug. 29 through Saturday, Aug. 31:

• Upper Susitna Senior Center (16463 Helena Drive, Talkeetna) from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sheep Creek Lodge (59429 S Parks Hwy, Willow) from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Curtis D Menard Memorial Sports Center (1001 S Clapp St, Wasilla) from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

From Sunday, Sept. 1 through Tuesday, Sept. 3, Red Cross emergency relief supplies will be available to everyone who needs them at Sheep Creek Lodge (59429 S Parks Hwy, Willow) from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Independently licensed Red Cross mental health professionals will continue to provide emotional support and disaster mental health services across the affected areas over the next several days, to care for and support residents as they work through the emotional effects of this disaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
We know Alaskans are generous and want to do everything they can to help those affected by the McKinley Fire. For any disaster, the first priority for the Red Cross is to provide shelter, meals and other support to those affected, and financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those who need it most.

The Red Cross responds to more than 62,000 disasters every year, including home fires and major disasters like the constant storms and floods that plagued much of the country earlier this year. You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crises by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. You can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross disaster workforce and make it possible for us to respond to disasters year-round. Those who are interested in getting trained to volunteer should visit redcross.org/Alaska to fill out a volunteer application, so that they will be ready to get started as a volunteer as opportunities become available.

FREE RED CROSS EMERGENCY APP
The American 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. Download the free app by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your mobile phone app store, texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999, or by visiting redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In Fiscal Year 2019, the American Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters by offering food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, hope and recovery services to 1,096 Alaskans in 50 communities statewide. Our preparedness teams installed 2,171 free smoke alarms and educated 1,409 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Our Training Services department enrolled 19,665 students in first aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. Our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,299 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. In Fiscal Year 2019, our statewide workforce of 729 volunteers logged 40,735 hours in service to our mission and their fellow Alaskans. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.

###