PW Red Cross is there to help
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Recently there were residential home fires three days in a row in Prince William County. It was no accident that each of these fires and numerous others in this community had something very noteworthy in common. Volunteers and staff from the Prince William American Red Cross were there to assist the families that were affected. Whether the fire took place in the middle of the day, like the home fire on July 15 on Minnieville Road, or in the early morning like the multi-unit apartment July 14 on Tazanari Way, or even in the middle of the night, the Red Cross was there helping.
However, this assistance doesn’t just magically happen and funds to help the victims of these fires and other disasters don’t just materialize out of thin air. The assistance is the result of donations received from caring and generous local residents and friends of the Prince William American Red Cross. The Prince William American Red Cross does not receive funds from the National Red Cross for local disaster relief, nor does it receive money from the U.S. government.
Although, most single home fires and the Red Cross presence at a fire don’t usually make the news, it is as devastating for that affected family as it is for those displaced by wild fires, major flooding, hurricanes or tornadoes. Even when a larger fire, like the one on July 16 on Keating Drive, does make the news, the support of the local Red Cross is often not mentioned.
While our volunteers don’t seek recognition for their service, it is important for this community to know that the Prince William American Red Cross is here for them because we have trained, committed people -- neighbors and friends -- in this community that will drop everything, or get out of bed in the middle of night and come and help them take the first steps toward recovery. It is equally important that members of the community realize that what these volunteers do is only possible because of the financial gifts the chapter receives.
So the next time there is home fire, flooding, or any other disaster that affects residents of Prince William County, rest assured the Prince William American Red Cross will be there when needed.
In fact, if it makes the news, when the story reads “Residents were displaced from their homes” you can read between the lines and add with certainty “… and volunteers from Prince William American Red Cross were to assist them.” The community can count on it and we count on the community’s support.
Branch Moeling
Disaster Services Chairman
Prince William American Red Cross
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