| Red Cross asks disaster relief fund help |
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Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009 9:16 am
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Each year the cold winter months always seem to bring a sharp increase in residential fires and this year has been no exception.
Since Nov. 1 the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the Red Cross has responded to 14 fires and assisted 67 individuals distributing over $8,000 in financial assistance to those affected.
Most recently the chapter assisted 15 people with lodging and food for a fire early Thursday morning at a weekly rental apartment complex in LaVergne.
The Red Cross provides families with immediate and basic necessities such as a warm, safe place to stay, clothing, meals – and above all else—a volunteer with the experience and compassion to help them overcome their tragedy.
“This is an especially challenging time for fundraising; especially with the number and scope of disasters we’ve had this year and the country continuing to face difficult economic conditions. We really need our donors and supporters to continue to step forward to help the local Red Cross because we need their help now more than ever,” said Greg King, CEO of the Heart of Tennessee Chapter.
The Heart of Tennessee Chapter is committed to making sure that every time a family in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin and Moore counties needs emergency assistance that they are ready and prepared to help. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on United Way funding as well as donations from the public to provide vital disaster relief to those in need.
“Disasters do not take holidays unfortunately and while most people are busy enjoying spending time with friends and family many families may find themselves with no home to return to after a devastating fire,” said King. “That is when the Red Cross steps up to provide vital assistance to those who need our help most.”
Disasters victims are never charged for Red Cross assistance as it is a gift from the community.
Donations can be mailed to the Heart of Tennessee Chapter at:
836 Commercial Court
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Or to the Coffee County Office at:
502 S. Jackson Street
Tullahoma, TN 37388
Donations can also be made online at www.midtnredcross.org. For more information call (615)893-4272 or for Coffee, Franklin & Moore County residents call (931) 455-2501.
The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Coffee & Moore counties. Over the past year the Chapter trained nearly 15,000 people in CPR & First Aid, Babysitting and Aquatics training, and provided pre-deployment briefings and emergency communications for over 640 active duty military personnel and their families. Over 13,177 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 320 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through generous gifts from the local community. To get more information please call 615) 893-4272 or log on to www.midtnredcross.org
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