Our thoughts are with everyone in Hawaii affected by what are some of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in recent history. The American Red Cross is there, working around the clock to help those affected.

With officials and partners, our teams are providing evacuees with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support during this challenging time. We are preparing to expand relief efforts if needed.

Steve Hilgers of the Central Illinois chapter of the Red Cross will be deploying to Maui to assist with staff services – caring for fellow Red Cross volunteers once they arrive, making sure they have a place to stay and helping with job assignments. This will ensure disaster volunteers are able to assist those who have been impacted by the wildfires. Steve has deployed to several disasters during his tenure as a Red Cross volunteer, including Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona and North Carolina for Hurricane Florence.

You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crises by making a gift 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. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. 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 us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RedCrossIL.

###