Red Cross Responds to Jackson Complex Fire

Jersey Coast Chapter Disaster Volunteers Provide Compassion and Assistance

TINTON FALLS, NJ, February 15, 2011 – On Valentine’s Day night, the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross sent 7 disaster volunteers to the scene at the Jackson Green Apartment Complex to help the 16 families who were displaced after their homes caught fire. The fire broke out late last night in Jackson Township, leaving 44 people displaced from 16 different families. The Jersey Coast Chapter sent volunteers to help the families needing immediate emergency assistance by providing them with caring relief and compassion.

Red Cross provided several families with immediate disaster assistance based on their needs to purchase the necessities such as food, clothing and emergency housing at a local hotel to help get them back on their feet. “The Jersey Coast Chapter will continue to be there for any of the families, should they need assistance we urge them to contact us,” said Leo Pratte, Regional Disaster Officer.

The Red Cross receives phone calls from a variety of different sources such as the fire department, friends of the effected family or even the family themselves. A staffing person is always on-call 24-7 whether it be a staff member or volunteer depending on the time of day. Then, a phone call goes directly to a disaster volunteer who will get in the car immediately to arrive on the scene to provide the necessary assistance to the individuals or families who look so distraught from having lost all of their possessions. “At the Red Cross it is ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help those who need it,” said Melissa DeGennaro, spokeswoman for the Jersey Coast Chapter. Disaster volunteers leave their homes and loved ones even at midnight to help their neighbors when they need it the most.

To learn more about how to volunteer or donate so that we can continue providing aid to our neighbors throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties, please call 732-493-9100 or visit www.jerseycoast-redcross.org.