Volunteers Celebrate the Life of Dr. King with
Lifesaving Fire Safety Information

American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide volunteers canvass Sacramento neighborhoods to distribute fire prevention and safety tips.

 
“Life’s most persistent question,” Dr. King once asked, “is what are you doing for others?" This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide volunteers distributed vital fire safety information to help Sacramento residents prevent home fires, protect their loved ones and strengthen their community.

Joe Fenton, Hope Worldwide and Christy Woods, Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross explain the door-to-door canvassing to all the volunteers.

Dawn Lindblom (center), the new CEO of the Sac-Sierra Chapter was part of this morning's outreach in the south Sacramento area, as was Robbie Waters, City Councilmember Robbie Waters, District 7 (below).

Volunteers from the American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide as well as volunteer Sea Cadets, AmeriCorps NCCC and Community Emergency Response Team members went door-to-door throughout South Sacramento neighborhoods speaking with residents about fire safety and leaving behind fire safety door hangers with information about smoke alarms, creating an escape plan and how to cook and heat a home safely this winter.

The Firefighters of Sacramento Fire Department Station 11 hosted this morning's activities. The station is located at the intersection of Florin and Havenside in the Pocket Area.
 
“President Obama has called on each of us to volunteer in our communities on Monday, January 18 to usher in a new spirit of service,” says American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern.  “Join the American Red Cross and USAService.org to learn how to save a life by participating in a CPR training, protect a life by distributing prevention and safety materials in your community or give the gift of life by donating blood.”

Home fires are Sacramento’s most prevalent disaster threat, and unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented. The Red Cross is committed to helping people understand how they can prevent home fires and protect themselves should they experience a fire. In the last year alone, the Sacramento Sierra Chapter responded to more than 240 fires, providing emergency shelter, food, comfort items, mental health counseling and emotional support.

This little fellow was part of his mom's group.
 
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer