Polk Red Cross helps Polk City man after fire

POLK CITY, FL (July 26, 2008 ) – On Saturday, July 26, American Red Cross volunteers helped a man in Polk City whose home was damaged by fire.

The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter learned at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, that a home caught fire on Deen Still Road in Polk City. The man living there had arranged to stay with friends, but Red Cross volunteers were able to provide him with emergency assistance for groceries, clothing, and shoes, as well as a personal hygiene kit.

Whenever called, day or night, Polk Red Cross volunteers respond to help people in need. Over the previous 12 months, from July 2007 to June 2008, the Polk County Chapter assisted 209 Polk County families affected by local disasters. Almost all of those were fires in houses and apartment buildings. In this month, July 2008, the Red Cross has helped another 12 Polk County families affected by home fires.

Home fires are the most common disaster seen by Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross urges families to follow fire prevention tips and practice fire escape plans to ensure every family member escapes fire safely. Information is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html.

Your local Red Cross will always be there to help. The Red Cross is not a government agency, and each Red Cross chapter depends on the generosity the community it serves to do its work. Red Cross workers train people how to prepare for disasters or how to respond with valuable life-saving skills in an emergency. To volunteer, take classes, or donate to the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter, visit the chapter at 147 Avenue A, NW in Winter Haven; visit online at http://polkcountyfl.redcross.org; e-mail us at polkcofl@polkredcross.org; or call (863) 294-5941.