Contact: Joel Hass, CEO
Telephone: (407) 894-4141 x4602
Email: joelh@centralfl-redcross.org

American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region continues response to Brevard and Volusia County wildfires

ORLANDO (Tuesday, May 13, 2008) — In response to wildfires raging in Brevard and Volusia Counties since Sunday, the Mid-Florida Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross — comprised of Polk County, Central Florida, Space Coast and Florida’s Coast-to-Coast chapters — are all responding and collaborating on the relief operation as a region.

A shelter opened by the Red Cross in Volusia County is now closed because evacuation orders were cancelled when the fires in Volusia County were contained for the most part, the Space Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross continues to provide shelter, food and water to evacuees in Brevard County.

Officials in Brevard County report that, to date, as many as 100 homes have been damaged or destroyed by wildfires — 71 in Palm Bay alone. On Monday night, the Red cross shelter on Malabar Road in Palm Bay had more than 110 occupants. By Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., that number was up to 207. The shelter that opened in Daytona Beach on Sunday and Monday had 12 occupants before it closed on Monday at 9 p.m.

To meet the most immediate needs of the families being evacuated in Brevard County a second shelter opened at 2 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church, 2503 Country Club Road, in Melbourne. Volunteers at the church will continue working in partnership with the Red Cross to shelter and feed people in need.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the community. You can help the victims of this and any other disaster by making a financial gift to your local Red Cross Chapter, which enables the chapter to provide shelter, food, and other emergency assistance to those in need. Contributions can be made over the phone, on the Internet or by mail:

American Red Cross Space Coast Chapter (Brevard County)
1700 Cedar Street, Rockledge, FL 32955
(321) 890-1002
www.spacecoastredcross.com

American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region
(407) 894-4141
www.midfloridaredcross.org

About The American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region serves Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties. The chapters’ employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of one family each day. Every day, the chapters serve as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service areas on a regular basis. To learn more about becoming a volunteer or to make a contribution, please contact the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region at www.midflordaredcross.org.

Phone or email your American Red Cross for more information, and thank you for supporting your American Red Cross

Polk County -- polkcofl@polkredcross.org -- or call (863) 294-5941
Highlands County -- hcarc@vistanet.net -- or call (863) 386-4440.