United Way ‘Day of Action’ a Success,
Over 25 Smoke Alarms Installed in St. Charles Parish
United Way of St. Charles held a Day of Action on Saturday, April 11, 2015 to distribute smoke alarms and fire safety literature to residents in St. Charles Parish. The Day of Action was in partnership with the Red Cross of Southeast Louisiana as well as the Norco and Paradis Volunteer Fire Departments.
Over 30 volunteers from across the parish canvassed the Paradis and Norco communities to educate residents on fire safety and ensure they had at least one working smoke detector in their home. With the assistance of the volunteer fire fighters, over 25 smoke alarms were installed on Saturday.
“I would like to thank United Way and Red Cross for partnering with us on Saturday to hand out and hang up smoke detectors in Norco homes. It was a great success,” stated Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department Captain Andre A. Garcia.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes where the smoke alarm is working.
“First off, I just want to thank United Way of St. Charles for organizing such a wonderful event. I was very excited to be able to take part in this. Working with the United Way volunteers was a wonderful experience,” stated Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Melanie Cole.
“On top of assisting residents with fire safety, we were also able to develop a much closer partnership with the Paradis and Norco Volunteer Fire Departments. We left extra smoke alarms with both stations to be distributed as needed in the Norco, Montz and Paradis communities.”
In addition to distributing the smoke detectors, United Way volunteers provided educational fire safety materials and door-hangers, including how to practice a fire drill at home, to over 100 households.
“Though we call it a ‘Day of Action’, the impact on our community is much larger than just one day. The smoke alarms installed on Saturday will be a lasting part of the residents’ homes and possibly even save a life,” stated United Way Executive Director John Dias.
“Programs like this are part of United Way’s vision to proactively address the needs of our community.”
The United Way Day of Action is an annual event held to harness the volunteer spirit of individuals and organizations in order to improve the quality of life in St. Charles Parish.
To view photos from the 2015 Day of Action, click here.
For more information on United Way of St. Charles or to get involved, please call 985-331-9063.