Red Cross encourages families to prepare for cold-weather disasters

in a fire, she now has a new home. American Red Cross volunteers wanted to help her, but instead, she's helping them. wdbj7 Mornin's Alison Parker is live at the Red Cross in downtown Roanoke with this woman's story. Angie Petty is lucky. She has a good job and homeowners insurance. That helped her rebuild her home. Petty's now giving back to the Red Cross -- a cause, that always needs help. Angie Petty was at the doctor. The kids, at school. Keaton the dog, caught in a house fire. sb 2 i had been working on remodeling the whole house over the course of 7 years, and a recess light caught on fire, caught the attic on fire, and pretty much destroyed the whole house. (9) In September last year, Salem fire crews saved the dog, but not much else. Old family portraits, treasured memories gone. sb 4 On the video tapes, i had some family members who had passed away, and that was the only place i had recordings of their voice, so that was hard to lose. (8) The Red Cross offered to help Petty get back on her feet. sb 3 It was really heart warming. i also had a huge outpouring from the community -- family, friends, neighbors, people i didn't even know. So it really touched my heart. (8) But instead, Petty recovered on her own. Now, she's the one paying it forward. sb 1 Angie Petty: Since then, I've been really in tune to other people in the area who have had house fires and really needed some help. (5) Next Saturday, Petty will hold an open house to raise money for the Red Cross. sb 5 They really help others that are in need, not only in fire situations but in floods, and other types of disasters. They're there, on call, ready to help, and i think that really makes a big difference in people's lives. (12) What she did learn from the Red Cross -- how to be prepared. sb 6 You never know when a disaster is going to strike. Whether it's a tornado, a hurricane a flood, a fire, you just don't know. So it's important to know who to call, and to have proper insurance, and have an escape route. All of those things are very important. (13) The open house is The open house is next Saturday -- the very important. (13) The open house is next Saturday -- the 27th -- from 1 to 5. Members of the Salem Fire Department and the Red Cross will be at Angie's home giving out fire safety and preparedness information. The kids can even explore a fire truck. All donations collected will directly support the Red Cross. This morning,

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Red Cross encourages families to prepare for cold-weather disasters