WASILLA, AK, August 26, 2019 — As residents affected by the McKinley Fire begin the recovery process and start thinking through next steps, the Red Cross will be here, working alongside them.

Red Cross recovery caseworkers will be available at the Red Cross emergency shelter at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center starting today, August 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. to provide recovery casework and planning for those whose homes were destroyed by the fire. Red Cross casework will continue daily at the Menard Sports Center until the recovery planning needs of those affected are met.

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management individual assistance teams will be at the Red Cross emergency shelter at the Upper Susitna Senior Center at 12 p.m. today, August 26, and also at the Menard Sports Center starting today, August 26 at approximately 11 a.m., to answer any general questions residents may have about their individual assistance process.

SERVICE DELIVERY TO DATE

The Red Cross of Alaska has been on the ground since the McKinley Fire started, providing comfort, shelter, emotional support, emergency relief supplies and recovery casework services to those who need it most. Since the fire began, the Red Cross has:

• Provided over 420 overnight stays in Red Cross shelters near Talkeetna and Wasilla

• Served over 1,780 meals and snacks alongside partners

• Made over 341 disaster health and mental health contacts by independently licensed and trained Red Cross health professionals

• Mobilized more than 71 Red Cross disaster workers

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.

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