Monday, August 28, 2023- The Red Cross Southeast and Deep East volunteers have been hard at work since day one of the wildfires in Jasper and Tyler County. They have opened two shelters in Jasper County and one in Tyler Count to be able to help all the residents who were forced to evacuate their homes due to the large fire. Once the residents were allowed to go back into their homes, we were able to close the shelters down and open a resource center where anyone who was affected by the fire could come by and receive help.
As of right now the wildfire has burned over 3,000 acres and it is only 80% contained. We are expecting the fire to hopefully die off in the next few days. Tomorrow we will be sending emergency response vehicles into the community where the damage has occurred and speaking to the residents to see how we can help them. We will also be distributing emergency supplies to those who need them.
Our headquarters at Ebenezer Baptist Church will be closing today and we will be moving back to our chapter office in Orange Texas. Although our headquarters will no longer be in Jasper County it does not mean that we will not be there. We plan to have a team in the community every day as long as the residents need us. We ask that anyone who needs assistance to please contact us at 1800-RED-CROSS (1800-733-2767).
BECOME A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday for more information. Our most-needed disaster positions include:
• SHELTER SUPPORT: Help at a shelter during a large disaster by welcoming and registering residents, serving meals, setting up cots, distributing blankets and personal hygiene kits, and providing information and other assistance to people in need.
• HEALTH SERVICES: We also need volunteers who can use their professional skills as licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN.
• DISASTER ACTION TEAM: While big hurricanes get the most news coverage, smaller disasters, such as home fires, are no less devastating to those affected. Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families in need by providing food, lodging, comfort, recovery assistance, and other support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Help people affected by disasters by donating to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
