What Bureau County United Way dollars go for ...

Bureau County American Red Cross

On Aug. 28, Tracy Vanhorn’s worst nightmare came true: She lot everything in a house fire. Luckily, Tracy and her family were not at their home in Tampico when the fire started, but when they did come home, the scene was almost too much to bear.

“The Red Cross showed up about 8 that night,” said Tracy. “They provided kits for my kids that contained shampoo, soap, washcloths, combs and other toiletries. They also gave them quilts. My husband and I were given a card with money on it that we could use to buy food and clothing. It helped out so much because we lost everything.”

Tracy and her family are still staying at her mother’s house while they wait for their home to be torn down. The children are back in school and doing well. “We try to keep things as normal as possible for the kids,” said Tracy.

The Bureau County American Red Cross is active in Bureau County, providing needs like food, shelter, clothing and mental health counseling to victims of local disasters. Last year, the Red Cross assisted nine families in Bureau County who were left homeless after a fire destroyed their lives. The Red Cross is notified by emergency responders when a fire occurs and volunteers rush to the scene — often in the middle of the night — to speak with the victims and ensure they have a place to stay and a way to move forward with their lives. The Red Cross has been — and will continue to be — a beacon of hope in times of need for many in Bureau County.

The Red Cross is also the community’s leader in training people to lead safer, healthier lives offering CPR, first aid and AED classes at the Metro Center. The Red Cross is also active in blood collection, staffing several blood drives at various locations throughout the county. Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) volunteers are also on call 24 hours a day, sending emergency messages to U.S. Armed Forces members and their families. The vital work of the Red Cross of Bureau County is made possible by volunteers. The Red Cross relies on volunteers to help people plan and prepared for emergencies, provide training in lifesaving skills, assist victims of disasters, connect families or simply lend a helping hand to members of the community. Volunteer opportunities include: clerical support, blood drive workers, instructors, disaster services and more.