Volunteers with the American Red Cross responded to 41 home fires from June 28 through today. Volunteers with the Disaster Action Team assisted 72 individuals affected by incidents in Eldred, Kankakee, Streator, Warrenville, and more, including Chicago where 25 of these home fires occurred.

In the past week, volunteers provided 41 adults and 31 children with temporary housing, meals, health services, disaster mental health services, financial assistance and information about recovery planning. This includes 20 people who were impacted by a fire at a multi-unit apartment building in Waukegan.

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.  

If you need assistance after a home fire or disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-877-597-0747. 

Morris Industrial Fire: Red Cross Volunteers Support Cleanup Efforts
Last Tuesday, nearly 30 volunteers answered the call both in person and virtually to assist those impacted by an industrial fire in Morris, Illinois. On Tuesday, our volunteers provided meals and water to approximately 300 first responders battling the fire.

In addition, Red Cross volunteers set up an evacuation center and an overnight shelter for residents who needed a safe place to stay at First Christian Church. There, our volunteers provided disaster support, including health services and spiritual care to affected residents. Red Cross volunteers also worked closely with partners to provide meals, snacks and water to emergency personnel and evacuated residents.

On Friday, as local authorities allowed residents to return home, the Red Cross and partners made cleanup kits available to residents. On Friday evening, our volunteers distributed more than 100 kits, which included dish soap, gloves, masks and a bucket.

Blood Donors Needed Urgently
While summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout.

The Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability for patients at hospitals across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now. 

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.

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.