Hondo TX, 10/19//23 — On October 21st, members of the American Red Cross and volunteers from Medina Electric Co-op, Hondo ISD, Hondo Volunteer Fire Department, D’Hanis Volunteer Fire Department, Hondo Police Department and Medina County Amateur Radio Club will team up to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Hondo, TX. This effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,928 lives since launching in October 2014.

WHY: On average, someone calls the American Red Cross for assistance about every eight minutes. Most of those calls come following a home fire.

WHAT: Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks from Debbie Zabica, Executive Director, American Red Cross serving the Texas Hill Country. Following her remarks, volunteer teams will disperse into Hondo to install smoke alarms and conduct home fire safety training. Sign up is not necessary as volunteers will canvas the area and knock on doors to make contact with homeowners.

WHERE: In neighborhoods north of HWY 90 between Avenue M and Avenue U. The installs will take place
from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Volunteers: Volunteer installers will meet at Barry Field, (Hondo Football Stadium) 2603 Ave. H. Hondo, Texas 78861 at 8:30 a.m. for registration and training. If you or your organization would like to volunteer, please arrive at this time to participate.

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.