Providing assistance for immediate, disaster caused needs
*Food, Clothing, Shelter, Mental Health/Health Support
*Referals for assistance
*All disaster assistance is free
24-Hour Emergency Numbers:
Cumberland - York : (207) 874-1192
Androscoggin - Oxford - Franklin - Kennebec - Somerset : (207) 795-4004
The above numbers can also be used to contact Services to Armed Forces.
What do you do when it's 3 in the morning and you are awakened to a fire blazing through your home? First, you rescue your family and pets, then you melt into a flood of emotions as you watch everything you own go up in flames. Where can you go and what will you do for clothing and food in the next few days and hours?
All of a sudden, you feel a tap on the shoulder and a voice that says "Let's get you and your family something warm to drink and talk for a few minutes." You look around and see the familiar, comfortable American Red Cross symbol on the side of an emergency vehicle. Already, you feel better just knowing someone cares.
That's what American Red Cross Emergency Services is all about -- being there when disaster strikes and helping when it seems no one else will.
Wow, you must be thinking the Red Cross pays a lot of people big money to show up at a house fire at 3 in the morning, right? At the Southern Maine Chapter, we have only 14 paid staff people. But, some 600 volunteers help to respond to emergencies of all kinds, at any time of the day or night -- without a penny being paid to them, they are there because they want to be.
But fires are only one of the many disasters and emergencies we respond to. Whether a natural disaster (like the Maine Ice Storm of 1998), or an unfortunate manmade one, we will be there. We help with a place to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear and even with counseling when a shoulder is needed to lean on.
To learn more about disaster services , including information about how you can become part of our team, please contact your American Red Cross of Southern Maine.
