Red Cross islanders help apartment fire victims

Nine volunteers from Islands Chapter American Red Cross helped set up for people displaced by an apartment fire in Mt. Vernon on July 2.

July 18, 2014 7:07 pm
Bob Marcus puts out food for temporary residents at the Mt. Vernon Red Cross shelter. Many of the shelter residents went to work early in the morning and were able to take sandwiches.
Bob Marcus puts out food for temporary residents at the Mt. Vernon Red Cross shelter. Many of the shelter residents went to work early in the morning and were able to take sandwiches.

Nine volunteers from Islands Chapter American Red Cross helped set up for people displaced by an apartment fire in Mt. Vernon on July 2.

About 200 people were left homeless following the blaze, including many families. A shelter was set up by Mt. Baker Red Cross at Skagit Valley College while caseworkers attempted to find replacement housing, which proved difficult. The shelter finally closed on Thursday, July 17.

From South Whidbey’s disaster response unit, Ron Conlin and Bob Marcus worked overnight shifts at the shelter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Other Islands volunteers worked in health services and day shifts at the shelter.

Islands Chapter is part of the Northwest Washington Red Cross region with Mt. Baker and Snohomish County chapters, which also sent multiple volunteers to work at the shelter.

 

Volunteers are needed. To find out more and sign up for an interview, go to redcross.org/islandschapter and click on “volunteer,” email swdisasterteam@whid

bey.com or call 360-720-4467.