American Red Cross volunteers and partners from Salvation Army, Springfield Fire Department, Aetna Health Group, SIU School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield Red Cross Club will install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Springfield. This effort is part of a national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in more than 50 communities across the country in May.

WHAT: Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks and volunteer training, followed by smoke alarm installations at area homes where volunteer teams will discuss home fire safety with families

WHERE: Salvation Army, 1600 E Clear Lake Avenue, Springfield

WHEN: Wednesday, May 11
9:00 a.m. kickoff and remarks from executive director Dawn Morris and Mayor Jim Langfelder; smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow

WHO: Dawn Morris, Red Cross South Central Illinois chapter executive director
Mayor Jim Langfelder, City of Springfield
Interviews available with speakers following the kickoff

VISUALS: Opportunities for photos and b-roll of kickoff remarks, volunteer training and volunteers installing smoke alarms and meeting with local families
Additional Red Cross b-roll

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our regional sponsors: Motorola Solutions Foundation, Advanced Technology Services, Bank of America, Peoples Gas Community Fund, UL and Hub Group.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

# # #