Volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to six home fires in Bloomington, Peoria and Normal from July 19 through today.
In this past week, volunteers helped 24 individuals including 10 adults and 14 children with health services, financial assistance and information about recovery planning.
A fire can take a home in as little as two minutes. Therefore, escaping in less than two minutes can be the difference between survival and tragedy. The American Red Cross encourages everyone to talk to their children about fire safety to help families stay safe and prepared.
For free home fire safety resources, including an escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps). Children can also learn what to do during a home fire and other emergencies with free resources at redcross.org/YouthPrep.
If you need assistance after a home fire or disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-844-319-6560.
Community Blood Drives
Hometown Heroes Blood Drive
Tuesday, August 3 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Par-A-Dice Hotel-Ballroom, 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611
Pontiac Township Senior Community Blood Drive
Wednesday, July 28 11:00 a.m. - 5 p.m., 601 N. Ladd Street Pontiac, IL 61764
Avanti’s & Radio Bloomington Summer Challenge Blood Drive
Thursday, July 29 and Monday, August 16 from 12pm-5:30pm at the Holiday Inn & Suites, 3202 E Empire Bloomington, IL 61705.
Presenting donors will receive a coupon for a free Avanti’s Gondola, while supplies last. Thank you to our media sponsors: B104, 101.5 WBNQ & WJBC. To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
In thanks for helping meet patient needs at a challenging time of year, all who come to give July 7-31 will receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value) and a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Additional information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel. Those who come to give throughout the month of July will also be automatically entered to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. More details are available at rcblood.org/CedarFair.
Become a Red Cross Volunteer
Join us to provide relief and care wherever it’s needed — today and for years to come by becoming a volunteer. To find out more about available positions, and sign up today visit redcross.org/volunteer
There are multiple positions available, including the ones listed below:
Disaster Action Team Volunteers - Home fires and other disasters can occur any time, any place. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you’ll provide emotional support and information to help families begin the process of recovery. After your initial training, your shifts will include responding to emergencies within 2 hours, coordinating remotely to provide immediate compassion and care.
Blood Donor Ambassadors and Blood Transportation Specialists - Blood Donor Ambassadors welcome visitors to the Red Cross facilities or blood drives and take their temperatures before they enter. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, course participants and Red Cross employees and volunteers. Blood Transportation Specialist volunteers deliver lifesaving blood products from Red Cross distribution facilities to hospitals, using a Red Cross-owned vehicle. You’ll also need to meet these important qualifications: Have a valid state driver’s license and proof of insurance, have three years driving experience and a clean driving record.
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 including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and Ralls. 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 Twitter @RedCrossIL.