Volunteers needed to support Red Cross relief efforts in Louisiana
PROVIDENCE, RI – The American Red Cross has a need for new
volunteers to join flood relief efforts now in Louisiana after unprecedented
flooding has left 15 rivers in record flood stage.
The Red Cross is currently accepting new volunteers interested in the areas of
feeding, sheltering and supply distribution. In addition, we are in need of licensed
health services and disaster mental health volunteers. New volunteers need to apply,
be accepted and trained before being able to deploy to Louisiana or another national
disaster relief operation.
«Right now, our relief efforts are focused on the area of caring for those directly
impacted by the flooding in Louisiana,» said Neil McGurk, Regional Chief Disaster
Officer, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. «We are deploying
Red Cross volunteers from the area right now, and may need new volunteers to be
trained as well.»
New volunteers who apply to deploy to Louisiana are not guaranteed to be deployed on
the Louisiana relief operation, but if qualified, will be trained and stand ready to
help at home and to help nationally in the future.
«Normally, we only deploy volunteers out of state who have previous volunteer
experience with the Red Cross,» said McGurk. «However, this is a large-scale relief
operation taking place in the middle of Hurricane season. We need as many volunteers
trained in these areas as possible to help in Louisiana and here at home.»
Those interested in volunteering MUST sign up online, therefore, they must have
access to a computer. Those who are interested in deploying will also be attending a
three hour in-person training once they complete the application process. To sign up
visit http://tinyurl.com/DisasterResponder, call 860-678-2788 or email
chctrivolintake@redcross.org.
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/ri or visit us on Twitter at
@RIRedCross.