December 29, 2019. Minneapolis, Minnesota. First Covenant Church -- Red Cross shelter. Patrick and Rhoda are among 60 people staying at the Red Cross shelter for people displaced by the Christmas Day fire at the Drake Hotel in Minneapolis. More than 250 people, who were already living on the bare minimum, lost their home and belongings in the fire. Photo by Lynette Nyman, American Red Cross.
Working with community partners, more than 100 American Red Cross disaster responders, the vast majority volunteers, continue to comfort and support people recovering from the Francis Drake Hotel Apartment fire on Christmas morning.
“Since the fire, the Red Cross has helped give refuge to affected individuals and families. To date, we’ve provided more than 400 overnight shelter stays, 3,000 meals and snacks, and 900 health and mental health services,” says Phil Hansen, Regional CEO, for the Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross.
On Friday, December 27, the Hennepin County Sheltering Team moved 30 families previously housed at the Drake to longer-term accommodations at a local extended-stay hotel. On Friday night, more than 60 people continued to stay at the Red Cross shelter at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Resources, such as clothing, storage bins, and other supplies, were available to prepare for the move to First Covenant Church on Saturday, December 28.
Red Cross volunteers and partners will continue to help shelter residents as they begin the next phase of their recovery from this disaster. Donated goods will be available along with Red Cross support services, such as health and mental health resources, will continue. In addition, Red Cross caseworkers will meet with residents one-on-one to assess specific personal needs, help fulfill those needs, and begin working on their long-term recovery.
How To Help : Become A Red Cross Volunteer
Currently, trained Red Cross volunteers are supporting needs for this disaster. To become a volunteer and respond to future disasters or support the Red Cross mission in another way, email mnrecruit@redcross.org, visit redcross.org or call (612) 871-7676.
How To Help: Financial Donations
The Red Cross is grateful for the outpouring of goods from the community. We will be sorting the items and sharing them with those affected by the fire in the most fair and equitable way possible.
As we continue to respond to the needs of the residents, the best way to help is to make a financial donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. The first priority for the Red Cross is comfort and support for those affected by this disaster. People are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster. However, it takes time and money to store, sort, clean and distribute donated items. Financial donations can be accessed quickly and allow more flexibility to give people exactly what they need most. In addition, having the ability to make individual choices is an important step in reestablishing self-esteem and further assisting in the recovery process.
You can help people affected by disasters like the Drake Hotel Fire by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org/mn, call (612) 872-3226 or 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations may also be mailed to American Red Cross Minnesota Region, 1201 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
