Rhode Island Disaster Responder Deploying to South Carolina to support Relief Efforts for Hurricane Matthew
PROVIDENCE, RI.,( October 7, 2016) – American Red Cross volunteer Carlos Spinola is
deploying to South Carolina to support Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane
Matthew. Once there, Carlos will serve as a shelter service associate. Carlos 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 Pawtucket area.
In South Carolina, the Red Cross workers are operating shelters serving meals,
distributing relief items and safety information for people in the path of Hurricane
Matthew. As of Wednesday night, the Red Cross in South Carolina operated 38
shelters hosting more than 650 people, as part of a greater relief effort of 84
shelters hosting approximately 3,600 people in the southeast. In addition to
providing overnight stays, affected South Carolina residence can stop by shelters
for a hot meal, safety information, and resources.
The Red Cross has also positioned more than 30 trailer loads of sheltering supplies,
ready-to-eat meals as well as clean-up kits and comfort kits containing personal
hygiene items along the southeast.
Over 500 Red Cross disaster workers, both volunteers and staff, and 90 response
vehicles are prepared to assist in the relief operations. As conditions shift in the
coming days, Red Cross disaster teams will continue to monitor conditions, assess
damage and provide additional support services as needed.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of
disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save
lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and
their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on
volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For
more information, please visit redcross.org
Twitter at @RedCross