The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois continues to carry out its mission, but because of COVID-19, the way we deliver assistance looks different. Our volunteers have been working to respond virtually to fires whenever possible, connecting with families by phone or video calls. We are providing support with lodging, health and mental health services and information about recovery services.
From Monday, May 4 through today, volunteer disaster responders with the Red Cross responded to 22 fires in the Chicago & Northern Illinois area in Naperville, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Freeport, Bradley and more. Twelve of these fires occurred in Chicago, with one fire over the weekend that impacted 37 residents of a three-story apartment building in the 6500 block of North Fairfield Avenue.
In the past week, the Red Cross assisted 117 individuals, including 72 adults and 45 children with temporary housing, food, clothing and information about recovery services and health and mental health services.
The American Red Cross responds to 3 to 4 home fires every day in Chicago and Northern Illinois. If you need assistance, please call our dispatch Line: 1-877-597 0747. You can take two easy steps to protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half.
Volunteers Support First Responders in Kankakee
In addition, Red Cross volunteers responded to a search and rescue effort on the Kankakee River on Friday and Saturday, delivering meals to a total of 90 first responders.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. 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/local/Illinois or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.