Red Cross Lends A Hand To Those Who Lost Their Homes Over The Holiday [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD -- Volunteers with the America Red Cross spent their holiday week helping those in need.

Over 40 people lost their homes following eight fires across Minnesota and Wisconsin since Christmas.

Carrie Carlson-Guest is the Chief Communications Officer for the American Red Cross Minnesota Region. She says over 2,000 volunteers have been out helping families during these difficult times.

The Red Cross has assisted families in Brooklyn Park, Hinckley, Minneapolis and St. Cloud in the past few days.

Carlson-Guest says the number of home fires in Minnesota increases during the winter months.

The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply and serves 5.2 million people across Minnesota and part of western Wisconsin.

She says with the recent fires the Red Cross relies a lot on their volunteers and couldn't help these families without their help.

To help make sure families are prepared for these disasters the Red Cross has home fire safety tips and other resources available on their website.

If you want to become a volunteer in your community or want to donate to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit their website www.redcross.org/mn.