Volunteers Commemorate Dr. King by Providing Lifesaving Fire Safety Information

American Red Cross volunteers will canvass local neighborhoods to distribute fire prevention and safety tips.

“Life’s most persistent question,” Dr. King once asked, “is what are you doing for others?” This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, American Red Cross volunteers are doing a lot for others in their local communities. They are distributing vital fire safety information to help residents prevent home fires, protect their loved ones and strengthen their community.

Dozens of volunteers from the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that helps people prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies, will join State Farm Agents from around Northeast WI,  along with the Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Ripon, Town of Menasha,  Appleton, Grand Chute, Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay Fire Departments, Waupaca Fresh Start Program (distribution on Monday) Iron Mountain Girl Scout Troops and Disaster Action Team members.

Volunteers will canvass door-to-door throughout their local neighborhoods, talk with residents and leave behind door hangers with fire safety information. The door hangers include information about smoke alarms, creating a household fire escape plan and tips for cooking and heating a home safely this winter. This community program is sponsored by grants from State Farm and the American National Red Cross.

When:  Saturday, January 14, 2012,  9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Where: Volunteers will canvass the following communities. Orientations will take place at 9:00 a.m. at the closest locations to the communities:

• Fond du Lac

• Ripon

• Appleton

• Iron Mountain, MI

• Markesan

• Menasha

• Oshkosh

• Green Bay

• Shawano

• Manitowoc

• Sheboygan

Home fires are the most common disaster threat across the country. Last year, chapters within the region responded to 210 local disasters, the majority of which were residential fires. Nationally, every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a home fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association fire claims nine lives every day in the U.S.A.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. To learn more about local Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter headquarters at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NEWRedCross.org. Find us on facebook.com/newredcross, twitter.com/newredcross, the local blog is newredcrossblog.org and Chapter photos are at flickr.com/photos/newredcross.