Albany, NY (Jan. 18) 2:45 p.m. - The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) is giving emergency aid to three families, representing 14 people (five adults and nine children, including one six-month-old child) after a fire at a three-unit apartment building on Strong Street in Schenectady.

Disaster Action Team volunteers met with the families after being called to the scene by local officials at approximately 12:30 p.m. Volunteers have given victims safe shelter, financial aid for food, clothing, infant supplies and replacement medications, and storage containers for their belongings.

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

The Red Cross is actively seeking volunteers and financial donations to assist with disaster relief efforts in their eight-county service area. For more information or to make a donation to support local, national or international disaster relief, 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.