American Red Cross aids more than 200 people in February | News

(KFVS) - The Southern Missouri Region of the American Red Cross says they helped more than 200 individuals across many of the counties in its 40-county service area during February.

They say there were more than 50 incidents of single family fires from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. At least 60 cases were opened in 25 counties. Families ranged from one person households to some with seven or more. 

Jasper County had the greatest number of single family fires with six for the month and 28 people receiving aid. It was followed by four fires each in Cape Girardeau (11 people aided), Lawrence (21) and Laclede (11) counties. 

According to the Red Cross, individuals had insurance on their property in only about a third of the cases.

The people affected were provided a place to stay, money for clothes, food and medicine. Along with providing casework for the residents in a quick and efficient time frame, Red Cross volunteers will continue to provide support to these families going forward, by doing follow up work to ensure all needs are met and the individuals have a clear path to recovery from this personal disaster.

The Red Cross says 65 percent of home fire deaths occur in structures with no working smoke alarms. On a national average, Red Cross workers help a family affected by a home fire or other disaster 190 times a day.

If someone would like to support the Red Cross mission and help those in need, they can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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