Red Cross assists at 2 Friday Seneca Co. fires

Members of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team train throughout the year for an event they hope never happens. But on Friday, the volunteers were called on to respond to two disasters at once! The first call came in from Seneca Falls, when volunteers responded to a fire at Peterman Road apartments that had started at 10 a.m. There they met a single young mother of four preschool children whose apartment had been destroyed. Volunteers Barb and Dave Rotz and Emergency Services Director Cheryl Hoggard worked with the woman to determine her emergency needs. The Red Cross provided funds for food, clothing, winter coats and boots and baby supplies such as diapers and formula. They also offered the mother counseling services as she works toward her recovery.While in Seneca Falls, volunteers learned of another fire in Junius. There, an elderly couple’s home was completely destroyed. Volunteers Paul Wenderlich and Doris Wolf responded and helped the couple identify their resources and needs. The Red Cross provided funds for food, clothing and medications for the couple and a daughter who lived in an adjacent mobile home.All Red Cross assistance is free, made possible by the generosity of the American people. The Red Cross is a United Way agency.“We will continue to work with both these families in the coming weeks as they rebuild their lives from these devastating fires,” said Lynne Tyler, executive director of American Red Cross in the Finger Lakes.“We are grateful for the willingness of our volunteers to respond when the call comes. Help can’t wait,” said Hoggard. She said more volunteers are needed. The next round of training courses has been scheduled for March 7 to 16. All training is free. Call the Red Cross office at 315-568-9436 for more information.