“Life’s most persistent question,” Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. once asked, “is what are you doing for others?” 

This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide volunteers are doing a lot for others in the Sun Valley neighborhood. They are distributing vital fire safety information to help residents prevent home fires, protect their loved ones and strengthen their community. Washoe County CERT volunteers and Miss Teen Nevada, Alina Jackson, will also be joining the volunteers in this effort. 

Volunteers will canvass door-to-door throughout the Sun Valley neighborhood on Saturday, talk with residents and leave behind door hangers with fire safety information. The door hangers include information about smoke alarms, creating a household fire escape plan and tips for cooking and heating homes safely this winter. 

Volunteers will convene at 9:15 a.m. at the Sun Valley GID offices, 5000 Sun Valley Blvd. (look for the American Red Cross emergency response vehicle) for orientation. Canvassing will occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

Home fires are the most prevalent disaster threat in Reno and throughout northern Nevada. In the last six months, the local Red Cross has assisted 73 families (210 people) who have been displaced due to home fires. 

To volunteer, RSVP to info@nevada.redcross.org or call 856-1000 ext. 123. 

For more information, call 856-1000 or visit www.nevada.redcross.org.