On Saturday, December 4, 2021, a fire broke out at an apartment building on Monmouth Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey, destroying numerous units and displacing the residents of all 20 units. Some of the residents lost everything in the fire, including beloved pets.

American Red Cross volunteers were on scene that afternoon providing comfort and care to the affected families, as well as assessing their immediate needs. Shortly after, it was determined a shelter would be needed for those families without a place to stay and a Red Cross Shelter Strike Team was activated. A shelter was opened at Lakewood High School to accommodate displaced families.

On Sunday, Red Cross volunteer caseworkers were at the high school and met with the affected families to discuss their needs. Our trained volunteers also helped many to cope with the stress that comes from such a traumatic experience. Thanks to our generous donors, the Red Cross provided emergency financial assistance to 27 people in 12 families. This assistance helps families purchase food, clothing and other immediately needed items.

Representatives with STEPS (Solutions To End Poverty Soon) were alongside us at the shelter to help displaced residents find housing.

More than 90 percent of the Red Cross disaster workforce in New Jersey are volunteers. “We are so grateful to the Red Cross volunteers who responded to this disaster and who, with great care and compassion, assisted these families after this fire displaced them from their homes,” said Kim Goetz, executive director, American Red Cross of Central New Jersey. “It is with thanks to them, as well as our generous donors and supporters, that we could be there to bring care, comfort, and immediate assistance to these families.”

If you would like to be a part of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team in New Jersey and help your local neighbors when disaster strikes, visit redcross.org/volunteer to get started.