LEWISTON – The United Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting eight individuals displaced by a midday mobile home fire in Greene. Meeting with the fire victims at the chapter, arrangements were made to meet immediate emergency needs.

Comfort kits, previously prepared and donated by Girl Scout Troop 514 of Lisbon Falls, were distributed to family members. Arrangements were made to locally lodge, feed and provide basic clothing needs to the individuals.

The financial assistance individuals typically receive is in the form of a disbursement order, a voucher, that can be used at local retailers to acquire items to meet their basic needs.

The chapter’s fiscal year started on July 1, and on that day one volunteer and three staff members responded to a fire in Randolph, which displaced seven. It was hoped then that starting the year responding to a fire would not be a harbinger of the year ahead.

Last fiscal year, the chapter responded to 50 single-family fires and provided financial assistance exceeding $48,000. The chapter was hoping to fortify its local disaster relief fund through the summer and prior to the start of fire season, but attaining such a financial position has now become more challenging with these two fires substantially exceeding last year’s average cost per incident.

All United Valley Chapter disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the people of southern Kennebec, Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

To help the victims of this and other disasters, contributions can be made to the United Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 439, Auburn, ME 04236. Reference the contribution as Local Disaster Relief. Persons can call 795-4004 for more information.