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DAYTON AREA CHAPTER OF AMERICAN RED CROSS SUPPORTS FAMILIES WITH EMERGENCY HOUSING AND A LITTLE HOLIDAY CHEER
21 Years of Providing Holiday Toys, Food and Clothing to Children in Emergency Shelter Program
Dayton, Ohio, December 7 , 2007 – The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross’ Emergency Housing Program has been providing more than emergency shelter and emotional support to families during the holiday season. Volunteers, staff and donors work throughout the year to accumulate toys, food, and clothing to brighten the spirits of families in need.
On Friday, December 21st, Christmas will arrive early as these ambassadors of goodwill, accompanied by Santa and Mrs. Claus distribute much needed and appreciated care packages and gifts door-to-door to the families temporarily residing in the program’s apartment units. Each family receives boxes of canned goods and perishables as well as age appropriate presents for their children.
From fires and carbon monoxide leaks to displacements from condemned dwellings, evictions and utility shutoffs, more than 100 families a month are referred to the Red Cross’s local emergency housing program by an extensive network of government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, church groups and others. The program supports 46 families at any given time, with the average family utilizing services for 45-50 days. The program is located in the Dayton Housing Authority’s Parkside development and is supported by a combination of donor, city, county and United Way funding.
“There are a hundred different reasons why families find themselves homeless and in need of temporary emergency shelter,” states Robert L. Kelley, Jr., Director of the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross’ Emergency Housing Program. “We have a tremendous track record of placing these families in permanent housing, thanks in large part to the generosity of those who live and work within Greater Dayton. It is especially gratifying to provide families with a little extra support during the holiday season, so that they can save their limited resources for future housing and other basic necessities.”
The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness and response, and health and safety education to residents of Preble, Montgomery and Greene counties, as well as assistance to families with members in the military. The Chapter also operates Emergency Housing Programs in Montgomery and Greene counties. Led by volunteers, the Dayton Area Chapter responded to nearly 200 disaster incidents last year. The Dayton Area Chapter is a United Way agency.
All local Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of area disasters by making a financial gift to the Dayton Area Chapter, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Contributions may be sent to: The American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter P.O. Box 517, Dayton, OH 45401-0517.
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