espositol posted on May 07, 2010 11:28
Red Cross Urges Support for Families Affected by Disaster
Raleigh, NC—March 31, 2010 – The Triangle Area Chapter, American Red Cross responded to a call for assistance after fire broke out at a 12-unit apartment building in Southeast Raleigh around 3:30pm on Sunday, March 28. The Chapter building on Peartree Lane was opened as a family service center at 5pm on Sunday where caseworkers assisted the 14 families who were displaced. Volunteers provided a total of 27 people financial assistance for temporary lodging in hotels, food and clothing.
Red Cross caseworkers are working individually with each family affected. In cases where a family is not able to relocate within the apartment complex, the Red Cross provides assistance with rent or security deposit to obtain new homes. “When a family loses everything in a fire, it is devastating,” said Barry Porter, Regional Executive Director, American Red Cross. These families had no where to turn and with the support of our volunteers and caring contributors, we are able to provide hope and help to them in their greatest hour of need. We estimate the cost of helping these families will be approximately $14,000. “
Tameka Mangum and Andrea Frazier were at the Raleigh Red Cross office today after they had located another apartment to move to. “I am so grateful to the Red Cross for helping us after the fire. I was in the apartment when the fire started and had no idea where I was going to go,” said Andrea Frazier. Her roommate, Tameka, wanted to especially thank her caseworker, Evelyn Cox, for helping them on Sunday after the fire. “Miss Evelyn was so helpful. She understood what we were going through and made everything easy for us,” said Tameka. The Red Cross assisted Tameka and Andrea with funds to move into their new apartment this week.
“Financial contributions to the Triangle Area Chapter provide more than 12,000 nights of shelter for nearly 1,200 individuals affected by fire each year,” said Mr. Porter. The Red Cross provides shelter for an average of 25 people every night due to these silent disasters in our community.”
You can help people affected by disasters like the Hamlet Arms Apartment fire, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”