We’ve all seen them on the news – the volunteers who respond after a disaster strikes.

There are several groups that are first responders, but one of the first on the ground – no matter what the disaster, around the world – is the American Red Cross.

A tornado that touched down Tuesday in Perry County left one family homeless, destroyed a vacant mobile home and left one man recuperating in a Birmingham hospital.

The Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross assessed the damage last week to determine what the agency can do to help.

The disaster, coupled with the recent storm that hit Demopolis, has put a strain on their resources. In fact, they’re just about out of the $50,000 budgeted to assist disaster victims.

A Heroes for Red Cross campaign has been kicked off – aimed at youth, but anyone can get involved.

The fundraiser is designed to create awareness and develop donors who can help support the Red Cross in carrying out its mission of “being there, in times of crisis.”

Call the local chapter of the American Red Cross at 876-4641 to find out how you can be trained to be a volunteer; or how you can make a donation to help your neighbors when tragedy strikes our area.