Red Cross, A.D.R.N. assist fire victims

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Just days after a fire displaced families, one local shelter has closed operations.

The Red Cross has found all families a place to stay. The Red Cross recovery efforts have turned to donations, making sure fire victims not only have a bed to sleep in, they also want to make sure they have a Christmas.

The Austin Disaster Relief network has stepped in to handle the donations for those families. They have a warehouse set up in Cedar Park, where people have been dropping off toys, clothes, and even furniture. On Sunday families affected by the fire can pick up things they need. The Red Cross will also still be assisting families in many ways. While they've already made housing arrangements for all the fire victims, they say their work is far from over.

"By far its no where near over there is still a great need for gas cards. Primarily it’s going to be mattresses also. Those are going to be really important needs,” said Daniel Gerasi the Director of Austin Disaster Relief Network.

Those donations are being accepted at the Twin Lakes Fellowship church in Cedar Park.

The American Red Cross of Central Texas received assistance requests from more than 200 people. The organization, along with Austin Disaster Relief Network responded with emergency shelter and meals for apartment residents over the last three days.

A.D.R.N. also helped coordinate donations for victims of the Bastrop Wildfires; they set up a donation warehouse again. A.D.R.N. held food, clothing and money drives Friday and Saturday, they also managed to get a wheelchair donated quickly.

The Salvation Army has offered each apartment resident 500-dollars redeemable at its Family Store on South Congress, toys through the Angel Tree program, and an invitation to Christmas dinner on Tuesday.