American Red Cross volunteers with the Disaster Action Team helped families after three fires across the region happened in the past week, one in Lee County and two in Winnebago County. Our volunteers helped three families with financial assistance, health services, mental health services, comfort kits 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.
Tornado Response Update
In addition, our volunteers continue to offer help with recovery planning to residents impacted by the tornado that hit Naperville, Woodridge and surrounding areas on June 20th. On Saturday and Sunday, the Red Cross along with more than 39 community partners provided assistance to more than 350 families with information and resources at the Multi-Unit Resource Center set up at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School. There, residents were also able to pick up clean-up supplies such as trash bags, gloves, rakes and other items.
If you need assistance after this or any disaster, including a home fire please call our dispatch line: 1-877-597-0747.
Severe Blood Shortage: Sign Up to Give Blood Today
The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Blood and platelet donors are needed now to help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value).**
*Donors with a mailing address on file will receive their hat by mail approximately 2-4 weeks after their attempted donation. **Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
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