Ridott -- The American Red Cross Northwest Illinois Chapter responded to a single family housefire that struck a family of four in Ridott Thursday night.

The page from first responders came into Chapter leadership at about 11:30 p.m. Disaster Director Scott Allshouse and Red Cross volunteer Bernie Brinkmeier responded.

The family was aided with money for food, and a hotel room for three nights.

The Red Cross is seeking aid to bolster its funds during this difficult economic time. While there are fewer fires this year than last, the economic downturn has left the Chapter with a mere 90 days of operating capital.

Chapter Executive Director Diana Roemer slashed employee hours and salaries effective March 23, for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Roemer said the agency was fortunate to bring in more than $9,000 in its most recent fundraiser, It's a Red Affair, on March 7, but the budget called for $15,000. Other fundraisers have fallen short as well. The cutbacks were taken to protect Chapter reserves.

"In the event we are hit with major flooding or, God forbid, a tornado, the Chapter must be able to respond to its clients," Roemer said.

Two more fundraisers are scheduled for this fiscal year, which ends June 30: a rummage sale, tentatively slated for sometime in May, and a golf tournament, which will anchor the Chapter's fourth-quarter Heroes Campaign, which the rummage sale will kick off around Memorial Day.

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