Each year, Red Cross chapters across the country respond to thousands of disasters, large and small, many of which go unnoticed.

In 2010, the Montgomery Region, of which Chilton County is a part, responded to 430 disasters, helping individuals, families and the local community recover from these devastating events.

“Every eight minutes another person or family has to face a devastating loss,” said American Red Cross of Central Alabama CEO Jackie Buck. “A home fire may be a relatively small disaster compared to hurricanes and other major events, but the impact is no less severe for the family or individual that has just lost everything.”

Annually, the Red Cross responds to more than 66,891 disasters across the nation, everything from house fires to floods, wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes.

The majority of these disasters are home fires, which account for approximately 90 percent of all Red Cross disaster responses in 2010. Since 2000, the rate of home fires has increased.

As the number of fires increase in winter, there is an increase in the need for blankets to put around the shoulders of families who have lost everything.

The Red Cross is holding a blanket drive at its office at 504 First Ave. in Clanton.  The office will be open to receive blankets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Your help is needed to ensure that the American Red Cross of Central Alabama and chapters across the country can be there wherever and whenever disaster strikes.

Another way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the American Red Cross. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting montgomeryarc.org. You may also call 334-260-3980.