Saturday two Red Cross responders, Haley Homan and Director of Disaster Services Russ Korzeniewski, responded to an early morning house fire in Sturgis off of Elk Vale Road. What began in the kitchen, soon turned the home into a total loss at the residence of Justin Woods.  
 
American Red Cross provided Woods with food and groceries as well as clothing and toiletries. 

 On Sunday, Red Cross responded to a apartment complex fire in Lead, SD leaving a family of four homeless.  Red Cross provide lodging, food and clothing to the family. 

In addition the American Red Cross has had a busy weekend working with the Cheyenne River Reservation in the operations of a shelter in Eagle Butte where many have been without power since Friday.  Throughout northwestern South Dakota ten shelters have been opened to meet the needs of those without power and we are working with local, state and regional emergency managers to make sure all essential needs are being met.  The Red Cross has a team of volunteers on stand by should the need arise. 

With temperatures dropping and the region seeing an increase in power outages, the American Red Cross urges citizens to take extra precautions in home heating.  (Please see addition attachment for more information).

The Black Hills Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, a nonprofit organization, continues to provide services to the Black Hills and throughout Western South Dakota in times of need. We do not receive federal monies for operations. Our mission is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Because of donors and volunteers, we are able to provide food, clothing, shelter, health and mental health services to clients and help them get through the emergency. 
  
The Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross is a United Way Member Agency.