Red Cross, San Diego/Imperial Chapters, Shelter Updates, Index

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2007 UPDATED at 12 PM
CONTACT: 858-309-1271 or 858-309-1217

American Red Cross Announces Closing of Final Wildfire Shelter

(SAN DIEGO COUNTY)?The last remaining American Red Cross shelter at Bell Gardens (30841 Cole Grade Rd.) in Valley Center will close Friday, November 16th, at 10:00 a.m.

All of the residents remaining in the shelter have been provided alternate housing through partner agencies or have received the resources for a longterm housing solution through the American Red Cross or FEMA. Among the agencies working with the Red Cross are Mission San Antonio Catholic Church and Paradise Community Services, both of which worked to secure longterm housing for many of the families.

Though all shelters are closed, the American Red Cross is continuing to provide meals to residents in Potrero, Dulzura, and Deerhorn Valley, where electricity has not yet been restored to many homes.

The Red Cross wants to thank the owners of Bell Gardens and the many other community centers, houses of worship, and schools for permitting it to use their facilities as shelters. The Red Cross has operated 21 client shelters in San Diego County since the wildfires began, hosting more than 16,000 overnight stays. Nearly 4,000 volunteers who assisted during the response served more than 250,000 meals to clients and emergency workers and provided assistance to more than 1,800 families who were affected by the fires.

The American Red Cross is able to provide these services at no cost to clients because of the generous donations from individuals and corporations throughout the region and across the country who contributed to the response efforts. Donations given to this relief operation will continue to assist many affected families during their recovery.