Hurricane shelters can’t run themselves, volunteer now
The American Red Cross of Wisconsin, is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall, to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts. All candidates must complete the necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment.
Interested volunteers are urged to sign up at redcross. org.
Applicants who don’t have disaster experience, but have supervision, management or organization skills, a strong desire to help others, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, are encouraged to apply.
“When disasters upend lives, Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines, providing refuge and comfort to people in their darkest hours,” said Mark Thomas, Wisconsin Red Cross regional executive. “They truly are the heart and soul of the Red Cross – comprising 90 percent of our workforce – to help ensure families never face a crisis alone.”
In emergency shelters, Red Cross disaster volunteers provide people with a safe place to stay, necessities like food and water, and critical services, like mental health support and basic health services, such as replacing lost medications or medical equipment.
More than 900 Red Cross disasters responders are on the ground, across 10 states devastated by Hurricane Helene in the southeast, including hard-hit North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, while more than 2,600 people stayed in 69 emergency shelters supported by the Red Cross and other community organizations.
While disaster assessments are still underway in hardto- reach areas, emergency officials are planning for shelter operations to last at least several weeks, based on the storm’s initial widespread destruction.
Hurricane season is far from over, and the threat of more storms looms now in the Gulf and Atlantic oceans. What’s more, the southwest and California, are forecast to have above-normal wildfire risk this fall. As extreme weather worsens, disasters are becoming more intense and frequent,leading the Red Cross to respond on a nearly continuous basis.
Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, people can help in other ways, with financial donations. Visit redcross. org or text the word HELENE, to 90999, to make a donation to help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
Hurricane Helene has caused more than 1,500 blood donations to go uncollected in the southeast, yet the need for blood remains constant for patients in need. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood. org or using the Blood Donor App, to help restock the shelves.
