Two Devastating Local Home Fires Send Tri-County Red Cross to Provide Relief

PLAINFIELD, NJ (February 19, 2008) - Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers responded to home fires in Dunellen and Plainfield this weekend. The devastating fires tore through the homes leaving both families homeless and one family member dead.

"The Tri-County Red Cross responded to both families in need by providing hotel rooms and vouchers for new clothing and food," said Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross CEO.  "These fires are devastating to everyone and with the support of the Red Cross; both families can start putting their lives back together."

To provide relief services to local families affected by disasters such as fires, the Tri-County Red Cross relies on the local Disaster Relief Fund.  This fund is sustained by financial contributions by local residents and businesses.  Since Christmas 2007, the Tri-County Red Cross has responded to 30 local families affected by disasters.  This is nearly double the typical amount of disasters the Tri-County Red Cross normally responds to during this time. 

Due to the high number of disasters the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund is lower than normal and we need assistance from the community to restore it to optimal levels.  Please donate today to the Disaster Relief Fund to ensure our services will continue to be available to all future disaster victims.

"By donating to the Tri-County Red Cross, your money will go to help local victims - our neighbors," said Corinna Krauskopf, Development & Marketing Officer.  "You can see first hand what your money is supporting.  It's an amazing opportunity to be able to make a direct and immediate impact on someone's life during a tragedy."

To replenish the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, donate online at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/donate.aspx, or by calling (908) 756-6414.  Together we can make a difference.

The Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2008, has headquarters in Plainfield and Elizabeth, NJ. The Chapter provides health and safety, disaster response and military communications programs and services to more than half a million residents of 22 towns in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

Union: Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Winfield Middlesex: Dunellen, Edison (NW), South Plainfield Somerset: Green Brook, North Plainfield, Warren, Watchung

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has become the nation's premier emergency response organization. It has built a reputation around the world as the organization to turn to when faced with a disaster. Its nationwide network of more than 800 chapters is dedicated to saving lives by helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

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