American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Clean-up Kits Being Distributed

Oshkosh, WI…(July 15, 2010) – Flood, fire and wind created a whirlwind of activity for local American Red Cross Chapters. Throughout most of Northeast Wisconsin, trained volunteers have been activated to support local relief efforts and to provide immediate emergency needs.

Several Damage Assessment Teams have been going door-to-door in affected neighborhoods. They discuss the storm damage with home owners and/or renters and provide guidance, literature, offer a clean-up kit as well as comfort and hope.

In addition, U.S.Bank, our “Ready When the Time Comes” partnership was activated. The program consists of trained bank employees who are released from normal work-day activities to support local disaster relief efforts. Lindsay Geffers, the US Bank facilitator received the call early this morning and leapt into action. They provided several volunteers who had been given disaster assessment information previously. They attended the morning briefing, received maps, clean-up kits and more and were then dispatched along with a more experienced Red Cross staff member or volunteer to comb affected neighborhoods. “I never realized how important it was to let the community know they have support and assistance if they need it. It’s amazing to see how people can persevere through disasters – especially those that have flooded before.”

Additional clean-up kits with basic cleaning supplies are available at Red Cross offices and via mobile units. If people are in need of assistance, they are encouraged to call their local Red Cross.

All disaster assistance is free as a gift to the American people, from the American people. To financially support local disaster relief efforts, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or by visiting www.redcross.org.

The Northeast Wisconsin American Red Cross is a regional grouping of five chapters serving 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters throughout the East Central Wisconsin, Fond du Lac County, Lakeland, Outagamie and Scenic Shores Chapters. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Northeast region at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NewRedCross.org