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Want to discover if
Disaster Volunteering is for you?
Darke County American Red Cross offers Disaster Services Overview Class
Monday, May 9, 2011
Darke County, OH May 4, 2011 The American Red Cross is helping
thousands of people recover from tornadoes, flooding and
wildfires that have wreaked havoc across a large part of the United
States. Almost 900 people sought refuge last Monday night in Red Cross
shelters as new storms forced people from their homes in Arkansas,
Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.
These latest storms come on the heels of two weeks of deadly weather
which has disrupted people’s lives from North Dakota to the East Coast.
Red Cross disaster teams are working around the clock in the affected
areas, providing people with shelter, meals, emotional support and
supplies to help with clean-up efforts.
It takes volunteers with a host of different skills, interests and
training to be able to accomplish this complex task. Some volunteers
travel across the county to give aid in shelters, others remain local,
both are needed to meet the needs of those in crisis.
One of the first basic classes taught to new volunteers is how to work
in a Red Cross shelter. What to expect, how to give help, working
together in teams, all start the volunteer’s experience. Disaster
Services: An Overview is a basic level course that provides an
introduction to Disaster Services at the American Red Cross. The course
is divided into two modules. The first module introduces disaster
preparedness and response at the American Red Cross and is done on-line
and the second module is instructor led. The Darke County Chapter is
offering this class on May 9th, from 5:30-9:00 pm, with instructor
Victor French and will include orientation as well.
Both those who wish to volunteer locally and nationally are welcome to
attend. Like all training for disaster volunteers there is no cost for
these classes. Class spots are limited to twenty-five and
pre-registration is required, as the on-line sections of the class must
be completed before classroom. The Chapter has a web lab for
those who don’t access the internet at home and volunteers who can help
navigate the web for those who don’t use this type of technology. To
register for class call the Darke County Chapter at 548-1002 or
emailing gumpl@darkecounty.redcross.org.
Those who want to help the people affected by these disasters, as well
as countless crises at home and around the world, but can’t volunteer
can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Their gift will enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide
shelter, food, emotional support and other disaster assistance. To make
a donation, people can visit www.redcross.org
or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to the Darke
County Chapter at 130 Martz Street, Greenville, OH, please mark in memo
of check national disaster relief or Spring Storms.
The Red Cross is responding to disasters across more than half of the
country as the severe and deadly weather continues. In the past two
weeks, the Red Cross has opened nearly 50 shelters and provided more
than 3,000 overnight stays. In addition, with community partners, the
Red Cross has served more than 233,000 meals and snacks and distributed
more than 20,000 items like clean-up supplies and comfort kits to
people affected by the severe spring weather. Red Cross mental health
and health services workers have provided thousands of consultations to
people coping with the aftermath of these disasters.
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