Minneapolis, January 2, 2020. The night before the resource center opens for Drake Hotel fire survivors, Red Cross volunteer Christina measures to make sure spacing allows for people with wheelchairs, walkers other mobility needs are accommodated in the community donated goods area. Photo by Lynette Nyman, American Red Cross.
“One-Stop Shop” Offering Relief and Recovery Resources
Multiple public, private and community partners, including the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Bethlehem Baptist Church, First Covenant Church, the Minneapolis Foundation, the American Red Cross and others have been working 24/7 to help those affected by the Drake Hotel fire disaster.
This support continues January 3 and 4 at the MARC, a “one-stop-shop,” where trained caseworkers and numerous community resources will be available to help Drake residents create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance for their specific disaster-caused needs.
“Our local Red Cross is proud to be part of the team of organizations and individuals supporting those affected by the devastating Drake Hotel fire,” says Phil Hansen, Regional Executive Director for the Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross. “Our goal is to make the next steps on the road to recovery as easy as possible by bringing resources together in one convenient location.”
In addition, goods generously donated by the community for the Drake residents will be on-site, and they will be able to select what they need for their personal situation. Childcare will be provided so parents can focus on connecting with valuable support and resources.
Drake Fire Relief Fast Facts:
Red Cross services are also available to all people affected by the Drake fire, including those who are not staying at the shelter at First Covenant Church in Minneapolis. To get support, people can call (612) 871-7676 or visit the First Covenant Shelter.
Volunteers
Trained Red Cross volunteers are supporting needs for this disaster. To become a volunteer and respond to future disasters or support the Red Cross mission in another way, email mnrecruit@redcross.org, visit redcross.org or call (612) 871-7676. Current volunteers, email mnstaffing@redcross.org or more information about how you can support this response.
Financial donations – not donations of goods – are the best way to help
Financial donations can be accessed quickly and allow more flexibility to give people exactly what they need most. In addition, having the ability to make individual choices is an important step in reestablishing self-esteem and further assisting in the recovery process.
You can help people affected by disasters like the disasters like the Drake Hotel Fire by making a donation 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. Visit redcross.org/mn, call (612) 872-3226 or 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations may also be mailed to American Red Cross Minnesota Region, 1201 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55454.