BALDWIN, N.Y., Jan. 5, 2009 -- An early-morning blaze forced residents of four Grand Avenue apartments into the cold this morning and volunteers from the American Red Cross in Nassau County provided relief.

At this time eight adults and four children, from three of the apartments, are being afforded temporary shelter in a nearby motel according to Margaret Bullwinkel, Red Cross volunteer. The residents were also given funds for food. Relief totaled $1,696. The Red Cross was unable to locate the residents of the fourth apartment.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost to those affected, thanks to the generosity of donors. In the past twelve months, the Nassau Red Cross has responded to nearly 150 local incidents--mainly fires--and has provided food, shelter and comfort to nearly 600 Nassau residents.

To learn how you can help the victims of disasters like this fire, visit the American Red Cross in Nassau County online at www.nassauredcross.org or call (516) 747-3500.

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