Back St. Louis, Tuesday, January 3, 2006 – Beginning on Christmas Eve and continuing through New Year’s Day, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provided disaster relief assistance to nearly 200 people from more than 80 families and support for nearly 600 emergency personnel in the wake of 25 local fires: 2 in Jefferson County, 1 in Metro East, 1 in St. Charles County and 21 in St. Louis County. This response includes 4 multi-family apartment fires that occurred over the holiday season. The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies.  The Red Cross is able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide a vast array of programs and services throughout the region due to the dedication of thousands of volunteers that give freely of their time. All Red Cross disaster relief assistance is free of charge, thanks to generous public support.  For more information about volunteer opportunities, emergency services or a variety of other programs provided by the organization, please call 314.516.2800, or log on to the St. Louis Area Chapter’s website at www.redcrossstl.org.  About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter: Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency and preparedness assistance more than 407,000 times each year. The Red Cross depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and 100 staff to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. # # #

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