The Mount Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a “Fill the ERV’ event from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at the Haggen store at 2900 Woburn St., in Bellingham’s Barkley Village.

The fundraising event will help the chapter raise money to stock its emergency response vehicle with disaster-relief supplies. The Mount Baker chapter spends $27,000 each year to keep its ERV stocked with blankets, emergency food, water, personal hygiene kits, and first aid supplies, according to the organization.

Visitors will be able to take tours of the ERV, pick up disaster-preparedness brochures and make donations to the local Red Cross.

Haggen Inc., the sponsor of the event, will donate 1 percent of its revenue on March 21 to the campaign.

Free disaster-readiness workshop, March 27

The Mount Baker Chapter is also hosting a free “Be Red Cross Ready” preparedness workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the chapter’s Bellingham office at 2111 King St.

Red Cross staff and volunteers will discuss how local residents can prepare themselves for emergency situations using techniques such as building emergency kits and creating disaster plans.

Attendees will also receive tips on handling emergencies such as floods, house fires and earthquakes.

All participants need to RSVP to attend; those interested can contact Linda Giles at linda.giles@redcross.org or 360-733-3290, Ext. 1015.