March 11, 2019 —Disaster responders with the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois responded to 31 fires from Monday, March 4 to today across the 21-county region including fires in Carol Stream, Algonquin, Park Forest, Sauk Village, Grayslake, Ingleside, Melrose Park, Waukegan, Rockford and 22 of those fires occurring in Chicago.
The Red Cross assisted to 135 individuals, including 91 adults and 44 children. Our volunteers provided comfort kits with toiletry items, clothing, food, temporary housing, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services to those affected.
Additional information about these incidents, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.
Responding volunteers are members of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a disaster when called upon any time of the day or night.
DONATE BLOOD: In addition, the Red Cross continues to be in urgent need of blood donations. All types of blood donors are encouraged to donate. In order to encourage donations, we have partnered with HBO for the final season of Game of Thrones. Anyone who donates blood by March 17 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip to the season 8 world premiere of Game of Thrones. Appointments need to be made at rbcblood.org/GoT
The Red Cross asks all eligible individuals to make an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP: The Red Cross depends on financial donations to fund our relief services. Help people affected by disasters big and small like Hurricane Michael and the California wildfires, or local home fires affecting Illinois residents by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
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/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.