FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 30, 2020) — Throughout the weekend, American Red Cross volunteers from Florida’s Southern Gulf Chapter responded to multiple home fires impacting families in the following cities: Clewiston, Naples and North Fort Myers. 

On Saturday, volunteers part of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to two home fires. One impacting a family of four, including two children in Clewiston, Fla., and a North Fort Myers home fire impacting another family of four with two children.

On Sunday, the Red Cross responded to another two fires impacting three families. One multi-unit fire in Naples and a home fire in North Fort Myers.

The Red Cross helped coordinate emergency aid for the 17 individuals impacted and provided direct client assistance and recovery planning to meet their disaster-caused needs.

Red Cross Volunteers have been re-trained to maintain social distancing and follow proper safety procedures to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day for help because #EmergenciesDontStop. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today at redcross.org/SouthFlorida.

HOW PEOPLE CAN TAKE ACTION:

• Make a financial donation to their local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.
• Visit redcross.org/homefires to find out how to protect themselves and their homes from fire.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/sflvolunteer.  
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting 'GETEMERGENCY' to 90999. This all-inclusive app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members 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/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.

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