Local Volunteers Respond to 48 Home Fires in Chicagoland in the Past Week
Red Cross Celebrates 140 Year Anniversary
Red Cross Celebrates 140 Year Anniversary
Volunteers with the American Red Cross responded to 48 home fires across Chicagoland from May 10 through today. Our volunteers assisted families impacted by these incidents in County Club Hills, Phoenix, Markham, Richton Park and Pembroke Township and more, with 28 of these home fires taking place in Chicago. Sadly, two of these incidents resulted in the loss of lives.
Red Cross volunteers also continue to assist 11 adults and 13 children that after a fire at a multi-unit apartment building in Zion. In the past week, our volunteers have helped a total of 82 individuals, including 48 adults and 34 children with temporary housing, health services, disaster mental health services, financial assistance and 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 Red Cross encourages everyone to talk to their children about fire safety to help families stay safe. We want to ensure families and children are prepared.
If you need assistance after a home fire or disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-877-597-0747.
Red Cross Celebrating 140 Year Anniversary
It has been 140 years since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross on May 21, 1881. Today, people continue to come together in innovative ways to serve and give hope during life’s emergencies. This commitment has always been at the heart of what we do. Volunteers, donors and partners unite from all backgrounds to help everyone in need, whether they’re coping with disasters, medical emergencies or the sacrifices of military life. Throughout our history, Red Cross volunteers have stepped up to adapt in the face of change — with a shared goal of delivering aid quickly and helping families become more resilient.
How You Can Help - 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, visit redcross.org/volunteer or attend one of two upcoming volunteer virtual open house recruitment sessions where we can answer any questions that you may have. The virtual open house sessions will be held May 20 and June 17 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Please register here: tinyurl.com/RC-Illinois.
There are multiple positions available, including the ones listed below:
You can also GIVE BLOOD - If you’re healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org to give blood. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need.
TAKE A CLASS - Sign up to take a CPR and first aid class, so you can be prepared for an emergency, at redcross.org/TakeAClass. Provisional certification courses let you go through the online content now and then complete an in-person skills test within one year.
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.