Tri-County Red Cross Provides Disaster Relief to Elizabeth Families after Fire

ELIZABETH, NJ (March 7, 2008) - Four Elizabeth families are without homes today after a fire ripped through their apartment building last night.  Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers responded to the disaster and provided support to all the victims.

"Fires can happen at any time," said Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross CEO.  "Our volunteers are on call 24-7, to ensure disaster victims are provided with the essentials as soon as the disaster occurs."

Vouchers for food, clothing and lodging were provided to all four families, including four children, affected by this disaster. 

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.shtml, 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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