Disasters stretch Red Cross budget

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - They stand on the front lines when disaster strikes, but the American Red Cross is asking for your help

Volunteers across the country continue to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Sandy, including those from the Dayton chapter.

"There is a lot of damage out there and there is a lot  that need to be done," said Soteria Brown, who is the chapter's regional communications manager.  "We will probably be out there going into Thanksgiving."

Sixty-five of Dayton's volunteers remain on the east coast. 

"Our volunteers have been delivering food to shelters and helping load supplies," said Brown. 

But, this mission of mercy is posing a new challenge back at home, in Dayton. 

"Right now resources are stretched a little thin," said Brown  "We have to make sure we have enough volunteers there (east coast), but we still need to help those in need here in Dayton.  On Sunday, a fire at the Walter G. Sellers Apartment complex in Xenia displaced 62 people."

The American Red Cross has been assisting approximately 40 of those residents since the fire happened Sunday, Nov. 4.  Cots now fill the worship center at First Church of Christ off Ledbetter in Xenia. 

"If it wasn't for the Red Cross and this church I think we would be still standing out in the cold," said David Lee Harding, who has been living at the complex  for the past several years. 

The Red Cross is providing food, shelter and medical assistance to fire victims, like David Lee Harding.  David expects to be back in his home in the next several weeks, but for others it will be months.  Nonetheless, the American Red Cross will continue to be their safety net. 

If you would like to support the Dayton American Red Cross, you can attend a rally at Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton. 

The rally will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 13. 

It is a kick-off to the Red Cross recovery campaign.  The money will be used to replace the cuts made by United Way.  There will also be a holiday card signing for soldiers deployed.