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Red Cross
training for hurricane relief volunteers
Two courses on Sept. 12 prepare volunteers to work in shelters or
handling bulk distribution of supplies to those in need
Hurricane Harvey has proven to be one of the most disastrous storms to
ever hit the United States, causing massive flooding and causing at
least 70 deaths in Texas, and Hurricane Irma is expected to follow suit
by hitting Florida this weekend as a Category 4 hurricane. Together,
these two storms have created one of the most powerful back-to-back
natural disasters in recent memory.
For the American Red Cross, this means providing food and shelter for
thousands of people forced to evacuate both states during the
hurricanes, and then months of providing assistance as order is
restored and lives are reassembled. The Red Cross sheltered nearly
40,000 people at nearly 300 shelters at the height of the disaster, and
has served more than 1.2 million meals and snacks. Nearly 4,000
volunteers from across the country on the ground in Texas, and another
1,200 in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama in preparation for
Irma.
But that’s not enough. While Red Cross volunteers are amazingly
dedicated and devoted to helping others during these times of crisis,
more help is always needed. That’s why the Northern Miami Valley Ohio
Chapter of the American Red Cross is holding a “Zero to Hero”
fast-track training course for new Red Cross disaster volunteers who
are interested in deploying to assist with Hurricane Harvey or
Hurricane Irma. Participants enter the class as new workforce but leave
being trained and ready to deploy in any Mass Care role. The course
includes instructor-led presentations on Everyone is Welcome (meeting
the needs of those with disabilities or access needs), Deployment
Fundamentals, and Mass Care Fundamentals. The course are being taught
Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Troy offices (1314 Barnhart Road) from 10:00
a.m.-2:00 p.m. Upon completion of the course, volunteers will take two
additional on-line class assignments and will then be eligible to
deploy to Texas or Florida to help those impacted by the hurricanes.
In addition to disaster volunteers, the Red Cross offers a wide variety
of volunteer opportunities. To learn more about volunteering with the
Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer or you can attend a volunteer
orientation Sept 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 at the Troy Chapter office.
Orientation is for volunteers who wish to work locally or
nationally. No sign-up is required. Also on Sept 11,
starting at 6:00 is an ALL volunteer meeting for Red Cross volunteers,
new and old, with a “Back to School” theme. “This is an excellent
opportunity for prospective volunteers to meet our volunteer work
force, learn more about what we do and decide if the Red Cross is for
you,” stated Lynne Gump, Executive Director. There will be break-out
sessions, covering the different services, a pep-rally and even
“after-school snacks”.
Training and all disaster-related services provided by the Red Cross
are free. The Red Cross is not a governmental agency, though, so the
costs to provide these services comes from donations provided by the
generosity of the American public. Anyone wishing to make a donation to
support families suffering as a result of disasters such as Hurricane
Harvey are encouraged to do so. To make a gift, go to RedCross.org,
call 1-800-REDCROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999.
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