Azle resident Linda Robinson was one of several homeowners who received new free smoke alarms installed in her home as part of the 15th Servolution Network Good Neighbors Blitz the second weekend of April. 

The Good Neighbors Blitz brought together hundreds of volunteers, including from non-profits like the American Red Cross, churches, businesses, local municipalities and others, to revitalize and renovate the homes of 21 residents in the communities of Azle, Fort Worth, Lake Worth and Springtown. 

"Together, we can do more, reach more, serve more, love more," Servolution Network Executive Director Jason Malewiski said. "We are so grateful for the Red Cross partnership. They help keep our homeowners safe and give them peace of mind. Our partnership allows folks to age in place in safety and security."

The Red Cross installed 40 smoke alarms during the Good Neighbors Blitz, helping make 14 homes and 42 people, including nine veterans, safer from home fires, the nation's most frequent disaster. Robinson was appreciative of the new smoke alarms she received. 

"It is great having the Red Cross here to install smoke alarms in my home," she said. "It gives me peace."

Robinson's home was the 300th to receive renovation and revitalization from the Servolution Network and its teams of local volunteers. Working and providing for herself her whole life, Robinson felt overwhelmed when the Servolution Network and Red Cross came to renovate her home, which she has lived in for more than 30 years.

City of Azle Mayor Alan Brundrett led the Servolution renovation efforts at Robinson's home. He and other volunteers, including two of his children, provided her with a new roof and gutters, ceiling, flooring and cabinet repairs, among other work.

"It's hard to put into words how much it means for the community and how many people it truly helps," Brundrett said. "Some of these people, they're elderly or disabled or veterans or whatnot, living on limited income and the poverty level, and their houses are just falling apart, and they have no family, no funds to fix them up. I just feel like it's our duty to help them improve their condition and be able to live a comfortable life."

Working alongside partners like Servolution Network to create sustainable and resilient communities is part of the mission of the Red Cross. Installing smoke alarms in at-risk homes is just one way the Red Cross serves the needs of residents like Robinson and countless others across North Texas.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year — and the majority are home fires. Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install a smoke alarm, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit our North Texas Home Fire Campaign page.