Albany, NY (January 4, 2010) 5:45 a.m. - The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) is giving emergency aid to 16 people after fires in Schenectady and Cohoes:

• Last night (January 3) Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provided aid for 12 people (nine adults and three children) after a fire at their home on Van Cortland Street in Schenectady. Volunteers gave temporary shelter and financial aid for food and warm winter clothing for one family, and financial assistance for the other family. 
• Early this morning (January 4), Red Cross volunteers assisted four families, representing 4 adults, after a severe fire at their apartment building on Lancaster Street in Cohoes early this morning. Volunteers have given victims temporary shelter, and financial aid for warm winter clothing and food. A fifth resident of the building was taken to the hospital, and may receive Red Cross aid at a later date.

In the coming days and weeks, Red Cross volunteers and staff will continue to work with those affected by these recent fires to provide more aid if needed, and help the victims develop post-disaster plans to get started on the road to recovery.

During the winter fire season, the Red Cross urgently needs volunteers and financial donations to assist with disaster relief efforts in their eight-county service area. For more information or to make a donation, call (518) 458-8111 or visit www.redcrossneny.org.

About the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
Since 1910, ARCNENY has given relief to victims of disasters and helped people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Last year, nearly 1,000 residents of the greater Capital Region received free, emergency assistance by ARCNENY after disasters such as fires, floods, and power outages. Each year, more than 40,000 greater Capital Region residents learn to save lives through Red Cross CPR, water safety, first aid and emergency preparedness classes; and hundreds of local military families receive support and emergency communications services.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood from the American people to do its work. An average of 92 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. For more information about your local Red Cross and our 100 years of service, visit www.redcrossneny.org or call (518) 458-8111.