Area Red Cross sends three volunteers to California

Three Southeast Missouri volunteers are winging their way to California, bringing Red Cross supplies to help those affected by massive fires, according to Cape Girardeau Red Cross spokeswoman Kessie Hinkle. She said the volunteers will spend up to 10 days in the state and that two more are on standby to go Sunday, if needed.

More than 3,000 Southern California residents are staying in 11 Red Cross shelters.

In addition to food and other supplies, Red Cross is providing mental health counselors.

Hinkle said the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters each year, the majority of which are "single-family home fires."

Firefighters are getting Red Cross aid in the form of food and water. Firefighters in Missouri assigned to the U.S. Forest Service are on alert but have not been dispatched yet, according to Paul Strong, acting forest supervisor for the Mark Twain National Forest.

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, paid for by the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Donations can be made for a specific disaster. Call 335-9471 or send the donation to the local American Red Cross chapter, 2430 Myra Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.semoredcross.org.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127