Helping Those In Need

The American Red Cross Shelters 25 Provo Families

Due to Gas Leak in Downtown Provo

Provo, Utah ( Thursday, March 12, 2009) — Right now the American Red Cross is helping about 25 families after a gas leak forced an evacuation in downtown Provo. The volunteer Disaster Action Team is on the scene. The Red Cross Mountain Valley Chapter’s Garr Judd said, “We are getting these families out of the cold right now. We are working with UTA to shuttle them from the evacuation area to our shelter. We’ll have a warm place for them to stay and will get them a hot meal.” More information will be available soon.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah respond to about 200 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help those affected by this evacuation and other disasters in your community.

About the American Red Cross in Utah:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Chapter. Salt Lake Area 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org, Provo Area (801) 373-8580 www.redcrossut.org, Ogden Area (801) 627-0000, www.redcrossutah.org.