Tornadoes devastate Southern Maryland, Southern Maryland affected by power outages, River and Bay front homes flooded, Ice Storm isolates Southern Maryland, Heat wave unbearable as electricity shuts down, Single family home burns to the ground, Armed Forces Member becomes father while serving in Iraq, 8 pints of blood used to save the life of a local accident victim …
What do these items have in common?
They are occasions that the American Red Cross Volunteers and paid employees provide Immediate emergency assistance.
Recently, the area has been inundated with single-family home fires, unfortunately, some with devastating consequence. Just this past holiday week the Red Cross responded to four home fires. After each fire, the Southern Maryland Chapter Red Cross sprung into action providing clothes, food, and shelter for the affected families.
However, dwindling financial resources and the lack of volunteers may mean the local Red Cross may not be able to continue to provide services in such an emergency.
“We need help and we need it badly,” said Mike Zabko, American Red Cross Southern Maryland Chapter CEO. “Through the use of donated dollars we are able to provide on average $600 to $700 to get back up on their feet for clothes, food, and shelter and that takes donated dollars and volunteers which we are short of.”
“The Chapter has received numerous requests for assistance for these home fires and continues to respond faithfully at all times of the day and night and in the worst weather,” Zabko said. “The American Red Cross is the only organization that you’ll find after the fire is put out and the lights of the fire trucks are in the distance which provides immediate emergency assistance to the families affected with these tragic events.”
Zabko stated that the local Red Cross needs immediate community support through time and money to continue to provide emergency assistance to residents of Southern Maryland in their time of need.Those wishing to help should contact the any of the Chapter offices to donate time or money to replenish the local Disaster Relief Fund.
The American Red Cross is the only non-governmental organization mandated by the U.S. Congress to “alleviate human suffering” of victims of disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes, and technological and transportation crises. To continue its humanitarian mission, the American Red Cross relies on donations of money and time from the public.
All relief services, including hotel, food, and clothes vouchers, are gifts. Trained volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Program, whose services include mental health services, damage assessment of residential property, and food and temporary housing. Everyday, 24 hours a day, the American Red Cross of Southern Maryland provides relief for local people whose homes were affected by fires and natural disaster.
Please visit the Red Cross Disaster Services residential fire safety page. Your local Red Cross answers the call for help through the generosity and support of the citizens of Southern Maryland.
