American Red Cross Helps 30 Residents Following Devastating Explosion and Fire
in Allentown
Businesses, Faith-based Organizations, Individuals Quick to Donate Funds, Supplies to Support the Red Cross and Community
News Release: February 10, 2011
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Feb. 10, 2011) - The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley continued its efforts today to help 13 families left homeless by last night's explosion and fire in the 500 and 600 blocks of N. 13th Street in Allentown.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in this devastating event," said John R. Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "In a tight-knit community as ours, we all share the heartbreak that this tragedy brings." Red Cross mental health volunteers are working closely with the families.

As of 4:15 p.m., 13 families (28 adults and two children) received assistance for lodging, food, clothing, shoes, medication replacement, blankets, toiletry items, seasonal garments and referrals for other resources. All disaster assistance is free and is provided through financial donations by the general public. The cost to shelter, feed, clothe, and provide shoes and winter garments for one adult is about $400.

The Red Cross relies on donations to help pay for disaster services. If you would like to make a financial donation to help in disasters like the one on N. 13th Street in Allentown, Pa., you can do so by: donating online at www.redcrosslv.org; calling 610-865-4400 to make a credit card donation; or by making a check payable to American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017 (please indicate "local disaster relief" on the memo line).

Today, the Red Cross found itself on the receiving-end of assistance. Dozens of calls from local businesses, restaurants, hotels and faith-based organizations resulted in the delivery of pallets of water, power drinks and bulk packaged snacks to help replenish Red Cross supplies. Hotels called to offer rooms at greatly reduced rates for Red Cross clients. In addition, many individuals called to make a personal financial donation; others called to express their interest in volunteering.

"We are deeply grateful for the generosity of everyone who is supporting the Red Cross," Hughes said. "Whatever monies we receive will be used for this disaster and inevitably the next ones to follow. We always need to be prepared for what might lie ahead. Thanks to our donors, the Red Cross is assured to be there for the next family who may face a disaster."

Members of the community who have been affected by this disaster, and who still need assistance, should call the Red Cross as soon as possible at 610-865-4400.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 76,500 people through preparedness and training, military personnel support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief and information and referral. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.