May 5, 2007
Southside Area Red Cross impacted by increase in fires this year
Today’s P-I covers the impact that this year’s increase in fires has had on†the budget, and assistance provided by, Southside Area Red Cross.† Among other things, they are having to cut back assistance to people in need and they are having to cut back training.†
Rosalyn Andrews, executive director of the Southside Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, said that typically the Red Cross provides a week at a local hotel to families affected by a fire. Since March the organization has had to cut back to three days.
The number of fires this year has also had another impact on the local Red Cross, Jonas [emergency services director, Ted Jonas] said. Because of the massive amount spent to help the families he no longer has money in his budget to train volunteers.
The Southside Area Red Cross serves the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, and Petersburg, and the counties of Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Sussex.
If you live in one of these communities –†donate to the†Southside Area Red Cross!
Having had to go to VaTech and other emergency type situations, I can tell you first hand what a great thing organizations like this are.
They are worthy of our support as they support us (the community) in many ways.
I’ve noticed that neighborhoods in Petersburg and similar neighborhoods in Richmond (older housing in some disrepair, maybe more rental, lower SES) seem to have a disproportionate # of house fires.