Polk Red Cross helps Winter Haven family of four

WINTER HAVEN, FL (July 9, 2008 ) – On Wednesday afternoon, July 9, American Red Cross workers helped a family of four in Winter Haven after a fire damaged their home.

The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter received a call shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, that a fire had burned part of a home on Monroe Road in Winter Haven. They arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m. and within 30 minutes had provided the family with temporary shelter, emergency assistance for groceries and infant supplies, and a Red Cross clean-up kit.

Local Red Cross volunteers have averaged about one fire call each day for the new service year, which began on July 1, continuing a busy trend from the previous 12 months. From July 2007 to June 2008, the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter assisted 209 Polk County families affected by local disasters, almost all of which were home fires, either individual houses or apartment buildings. Whenever called, day or night, considerate and compassionate volunteers respond to help people in need.

Home fires are the most common disaster that Red Cross volunteers witness. Volunteers urge families to follow fire prevention tips and to make and practice fire escape plans to ensure all family members escape a fire safely. Information on preventing fire and planning for home fires is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html.

Polk Red Cross helps Winter Haven family of five after fire

WINTER HAVEN, FL (July 9, 2008  )  — Early in the morning on Wednesday, July 9, American Red Cross volunteers helped a family of five in Winter Haven after a fire had damaged their home.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter received a call at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, that the fire had burned a home on Park Drive in Winter Haven. When volunteers with the Disaster Action Team responded, they provided the family with temporary shelter and odor-control concentrated cleaner to help salvage items from the home.

Local Red Cross volunteers have averaged about one fire call each day for the new service year, which began on July 1, continuing a trend from the previous 12 months. After making a year-end tally, the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter found it had assisted 209 Polk County families affected by local disasters from July 2007 to June 2008. Almost all were affected by home fires, either individual houses or apartment buildings. Whenever called, day or night, considerate and compassionate volunteers respond to help those in need.

Home fires are the most common disaster that Red Cross volunteers witness. Volunteers urge families to follow fire prevention tips and to make and practice fire escape plans to ensure all family members escape a fire safely. Information on preventing fire and planning for home fires is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html.