Local Red Cross Volunteers Deploying to Louisiana

ROVIDENCE, RI – American Red Cross volunteer Paul Johnston is
deploying to Louisiana to support Red Cross relief efforts after excessive rainfall
has resulted in moderate to heavy flooding across many parts of Louisiana. Once
there, Paul will serve as a Staff Planning and Support Service Associate. Paul is
one of close to 3,000 Red Cross volunteers in the Connecticut and Rhode Island
Region of the American Red Cross, and is a responder from the Providence area. Paul
is one six of volunteers who have physically deployed to support the relief efforts,
the first from Rhode Island. In addition, nine volunteers have virtually deployed in
response.

The American Red Cross is helping thousands of people in Louisiana affected by the
devastating flooding there, likely the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy
in 2012. More than 500 disaster volunteers from all over the country are on their
way to help in Louisiana. The Red Cross has also mobilized 60 disaster response
vehicles, 40,000 ready-to-eat meals and more than two dozen trailer loads of shelter
and kitchen supplies.

The Red Cross is also working closely with the entire response community to
coordinate relief efforts and deliver help quickly and efficiently, keeping in mind
the diverse needs of the community. Some of the organizations sending help to the
area include Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, the NAACP, Islamic Relief USA, Church
of the Brethren Children’s Disaster Services, Save the Children, AmeriCorps National
Civilian Community Corps and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints volunteers.