A spontaneous effort by volunteers for the Midland Empire chapter of the American Red Cross seeks to raise funds today for local disaster relief.

Funds are down for victims of fires and other disasters, said Audrey Payne, a Red Cross volunteer. A group of volunteers started talking, and thought a “Dollars for Disaster” garage sale might raise some of those funds, Mrs. Payne said.

The garage sale starts at 8 a.m. today at the Red Cross building, 401 N. 12th St., and will last until people stop buying, or the garage doors are closed.

“These are amazing volunteers who saw a need and came forward with a way to help,” said Angie Springs, volunteer services director.

Volunteers have been bringing items in all week and have filled the five bays in the garage of the Red Cross building with clothes, furniture and other items, said Terry Boyer, a Sam’s Club employee and Red Cross volunteer. Except for a few items that were priced, buyers will be able to name their own price. They can even bid on the priced items if they want, Mrs. Payne said.