For many people across New Jersey, the new year has started with devastating disasters. Since the start of the new year, American Red Cross volunteers have provided emergency financial assistance to 144 people in 63 families affected by home fires and other local disasters. These 27 incidents include two larger apartment building fires.

Just hours into the new year, an apartment building fire on Madison Street in Passaic displaced more than 100 people from 25 apartment units. The Red Cross Shelter Strike Team was activated and worked in collaboration with the City of Passaic to open a temporary shelter at a local school gymnasium. While some of those affected stayed with family and friends, the Red Cross operated a shelter for three nights – providing 28 overnight stays – as well as meals and comfort items to the families.

Once their building was deemed safe and utilities were restored, most could return home. However, six apartments suffered major damage and Red Cross caseworkers provided Red Cross emergency financial assistance to 11 people from seven families for help with temporary lodging, food, clothing and other necessities. Two additional families were out of town and our volunteers will meet with them when they are available.

On January 2, seven disaster volunteers responded to a fire at Cambridge Hall, a 90+ unit condo building in Ewing. Our volunteers met with residents, many of them older adults, as they gathered in their community room. We provided comfort and meals to those waiting to learn if they could return to their condos. The team also helped those affected with next steps and helped make calls to insurance companies.

Twelve condo units were damaged by the fire and 16 residents from 12 units were displaced. The utilities were restored, and it was deemed safe for the other residents to return to their condos. On Friday, a team of volunteer caseworkers returned to the building to meet with the 16 displaced residents to provide Red Cross emergency financial assistance to help with immediate needs.

Since, January 1, our Red Cross disaster volunteers have responded to emergencies across New Jersey in other communities like Eatontown, Camden, Cedarville, Jersey City, Flanders, Paterson, providing care and comfort while helping displaced families with assistance for immediate needs. Our work is possible through the generosity of our volunteers and supporters.

This New Year, resolve to get involved. Visit redcross.org/NJ to learn how you can become a volunteer or how you can support our mission.