(PHOENIX) June 23, 2010 - The Red Cross shelter set up at Mount Elden Middle School in Flagstaff is closing today at 5:00 p.m. The closure comes after emergency officials lifted the Schultz Wildfire evacuation allowing residents to safely return home.

Red Cross volunteers from across the state have been providing care and comfort to Schultz Fire evacuees since Sunday. Volunteers from The Salvation Army also provided meals to impacted residents.

Here’s a snapshot of the Red Cross response:

• 31 overnight stays at shelter

• 493 meals and snacks served (in partnership with The Salvation Army)

• 47 comfort kits distributed (personal hygiene items)

• 31 volunteers donated time

• 55 Red Cross Safe and Well registrations Red Cross volunteers opened and closed two shelters in one week for three wildfire evacuations.

Red Cross volunteers stop what they're doing to help their neighbors in need. "We're here for our community to ensure their needs are met until they can safely go home after a disaster," says Tom Jacobs, Red Cross volunteer. "We're trained and ready to help anytime, anywhere."

To learn more about Red Cross volunteer opportunities, visit www.arizonaredcross.org. 

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About the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is where volunteers from across central and northern Arizona come together to help people in need every day. The volunteer-led organization serves more than 5.2 million people in communities across Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the financial generosity of Arizona neighbors to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.arizonaredcross.org/or call 1-800-842-7349. To give blood, visit http://www.givelife.org/or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.