Volunteers with the Disaster Action Team responded to a home fire in Rushville from August 11 through today. Volunteers provided one adult with financial assistance and information about recovery planning.
Every second counts when there’s a home fire. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes. A fire can take a home in as little as two minutes. Therefore, escaping in less than two minutes can be the difference between survival and tragedy.
For free home fire safety resources, including an escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps). Children can also learn what to do during a home fire and other emergencies with free resources at redcross.org/YouthPrep.
If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-877-597-0747.
Volunteers Needed as We Approach Busy Disaster Season
The Red Cross is preparing for another extremely busy disaster season, and it’s critical to have a trained, ready volunteers to make sure we can provide relief at a moment’s notice. This year’s wildfire season is already very active and dangerous because of the severe drought and dry woodlands across the west. And experts are predicting we could see 10 or more hurricanes in the upcoming weeks.
Last year, Red Cross volunteers with the Illinois Region provided immediate emergency assistance to 9,135 people after 1,832 home fires and other disasters.
If you want to make a difference and are interested in helping your community should a disaster occur here at home or across the country, please sign up at redcross.org/volunteertoday. Below are the most needed volunteer positions in the Illinois Region:
DISASTER ACTION TEAM MEMBER
Local Disaster Action Teams provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. If you are team-oriented and want to help your neighbor here or across the country, the DAT responder may be just the thing for you.
SHELTER VOLUNTEERS
The Red Cross needs new volunteers to support disaster shelters. Volunteers will help with reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks inside disaster shelters locally and nationally volunteers are needed.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can work in disaster shelters locally and nationally to address people’s health needs and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse). We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, this volunteer position could be right for you.
A Virtual Taste on the River
Thursday, August 26th – Sunday, August 29th, 2021
We are celebrating 26 years of the American Red Cross serving the Quad Cities and West Central Illinois A Taste on the River. This year’s event will be self-guided over four days online via GiveSmart so you can enjoy your favorite parts of A Taste on the River on your schedule.
Food demonstrations from Chef Gary Ames of Rhythm City Casino & Chef Aman Razdan of Food Affair Bistro. Music from The Yoyos and Jim Ryan along with a special message from WQAD News Anchor Angie Sharp.
Help support the Red Cross mission in our community and enjoy fantastic local entertainment! Register now for the event and early access to the silent auction: redcross.org/taste.
Online Silent Auction Items Include
A Weekend in Chicago: Get ready for a spectacular weekend in Chicago, including a 2-night stay in a private 2-bedroom condo in downtown Chicago with free parking! You’ll also receive a $150 Visa gift card to spend on anything you choose in Chicago- think museums, sailboat rentals, restaurants, and more!
Indulge in the Quad Cities: Indulge your sweet tooth with gift certificates (and more!) to bakeries and coffee shops throughout the Quad Cities! Local favorites such as Jaguar Coffee and Cookies & Dreams are included and plus more!
Tee-Rific Golf Package: Golf the Quad Cities and beyond with this incredible golf package featuring some of the area's best courses! Hit the links at Crow Valley Golf Club, Finkbine Golf Course, and more!
Thank you to our A Taste on the River presenting sponsors: McLaughlin Motors - Cadillac Volvo Subaru, SENB Bank & WQAD.
About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and Ralls. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Twitter @RedCrossIL.