This is the second in a multi-part series examining the needs of local non-profit agencies during the holiday season.

NATCHEZ — Some disasters are huge, while others affect only a few.

But whatever the disaster, the Red Cross wants to be able to provide the aid the victims of disaster need.

“We have volunteers and paid staff there in Natchez who are responsible for being on call and responding to disasters, which most commonly house fires,” said Anna Rogers, regional communications director for Red Cross. “They get called out and respond to provide humanitarian services to the families affected by those disasters.”

In the four-month period from July to October, Red Cross of Mississippi has responded and provided assistance for 572 single and multi-family house fires in Mississippi and trained 1,668 third through seventh graders in how to prepare for disasters.

As part of its work, the Red Cross is teaming up with local fire departments to canvass areas and install smoke detectors in houses that might not have them, Rogers said.

“We just go door-to-door and ask if they don’t have one and if we can install one or two in their home, and teach them about fire safety education and make sure they have a plan to get out of the house,” she said.

The organization also helped facilitate 345 emergency communications between family members and loved ones serving in the military between July and the end of October.

The Red Cross also responds to large-scale disasters like hurricanes, and operates several emergency shelters in the Natchez area when they are needed.

“We are fortunate that we have not had a hurricane in quite some time, but depending on the scale or scope of the hurricane, we will bring in more volunteers,” Rogers said.

Because the Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization, the most obvious way to help is by providing manpower.

“We have so many different kinds of volunteers,” Rogers said. “We have administrative volunteers, disaster volunteers, communications volunteers who take pictures at events for us. If someone is not comfortable running a shelter or responding to a home fire, there are certainly other opportunities where they can volunteer.”

Another way to help is to give money. Donations can be sent to the Adams County office or can be made online at redcross.org/gifts. The website details a number of ways — which it calls “symbolic gifts” — that donations can be used.

Examples of how donations can be used include — among others — comfort kits or emergency messages for military members, infant care supplies, hot meals or just “help where it’s needed most.”

Volunteer opportunities can be found at redcross.org/support/volunteer, or those who want to find out more can visit the Red Cross offices at 211 N. Union St., or call 601-442-3656.