Sussex Red Cross Provides Disaster Relief After Two Local Homes Were Destroyed

Newton, NJ May 8, 2009 - When most people think of the American Red Cross, they think about Red Cross workers helping hundreds or maybe even thousands of people following a major disaster.  However, trained Red Cross volunteers are on-call 24/7 right here in Sussex County ready to provide financial assistance and emotional support for disasters that affect even a single family-like single family home fires.

In fact just recently, Red Cross Volunteers visited with a family whose Highland Lakes home had been gutted by fire following an explosion.  While Volunteers were meeting with this family, the Chapter received a call from the Hopatcong Police Department indicating that another home fire had occurred. When Red Cross volunteers arrived on the scene, the resident hadn’t yet been home to see the damage to her house following the fire. Volunteers waited an hour for her to return home and when she arrived, they provided the kind of compassionate and caring support that anyone would desire during such a terrible crisis. Volunteers returned later in evening to talk about the emergency financial resources that the Red Cross could provide her family to help get them through the next few days. 

Executive Director, Pat Day said, “Red Cross Volunteers can help families to prioritize next steps in helping them to move forward following a disaster. Often times, people are in a state of shock and they aren’t sure how to proceed. Red Cross Volunteers provide information and emotional support as well as financial resources and appropriate referrals.  This is invaluable to those affected by disaster, whether it involves a single family or an entire neighborhood.”

Red Cross volunteers assessed the families’ immediate needs and provided assistance with food, clothing and temporary housing.  Comfort kits were distributed with basic toiletry items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and even stuffed animals for the children. Red Cross volunteers are part of a trained team that is on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies and to provide relief for immediate, disaster-related needs.  

All Red Cross disaster assistance provided from the Red Cross is free of charge, made possible through the generosity of the American people. To make a donation, visit the "Donate" section of our website at www.sussexredcross.org or call 1-973-579-1600.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.