In February, Verda Knox plugged in an electric heater she had purchased from Goodwill before running out for a few errands. Not long after she left her home, she got a call from family.  

“I was out, and I got the call that the house was on fire. I was immediately devastated because I had just moved in,” said Knox.  

When she returned to her home in Longs, SC, nothing much was left. Fortunately, everyone was able to get out of the home safely.  

“That is when reality set in. It was a total loss. I lost everything,” said Knox. “The Red Cross reached out immediately, less than an hour after the fire. They were amazing. Without them, I don’t even know if we would have made it through that period.” 

Over the next several days, volunteers with the Red Cross of South Carolina were able to support the Knox family with a place to stay, help to replace clothes, buy a meal, and more.  

“That support meant the world to me. They pretty much supported us through 30 days. My glasses, kids medicine, other things—they replaced all that,” said Knox.  

Unfortunately, what happened to the Knox family can happen to any other family in South Carolina. On average, the Red Cross responds to six home fires a day across the state. Not only is the Red Cross able to support families with some immediate physical needs, but there are also volunteers trained to provide mental and spiritual care support to any family that may need it.  

“I love what the Red Cross does and their volunteers,” said Knox. 
 

HOW TO HELP: Help families get back on their feet by giving the gift of a second chance. Gifts from Hometown Heroes provide financial assistance so families can pay for their immediate needs such as food, clothes, personal care items, and a safe place to stay. Become a Hometown Hero by clicking here or visiting www.redcross.org/HometownHero. 

BECOME A VOLUNTEER To join us, visit redcross.org today to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.  

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC