county news online
American Red Cross Reaches out to Community Volunteers

Darke County, OH May 11, 2011 One of the most crucial jobs done during times of disaster, is sheltering and the American Red Cross is responsible for responding immediately to shelter residents who need a safe place to sleep, stay warm and eat.

Using locally trained volunteers from across the country, it generates a small “world upon itself” capable of feeding, sleeping, medical treatment, mental health counseling and casework to begin the recovery process.

During the Katrina Hurricane Season, hundreds of Darke County volunteers signed up to take a look at whether disaster training was for them. Some of these volunteers went south to give aid, others decided a local operation would be better suited. It takes volunteers with a host of different skills, interests and training to be able to accomplish this complex task.

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.

The next shelter operation class is being taught May 16th 6:00 p.m. to 8:300 p.m. at the Darke County Chapter’s office, 130 Martz Street, Suite 6 and is open to all who would like to learn this critical function. The class is open to volunteers, potential volunteers and outside organizations who would like to know more about how to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations.

During the class participants will learn the procedures for opening, operating and closing shelters, be able to explain ways to demonstrate quality service organize available human resources as a shelter operations team, identify resources available to assist shelter workers and organize the physical facility and material resources to meet the needs of the people in the shelter.

Instructor for this class is John Wright who has been active with the chapter since Hurricane Katrina and who will bring a very practical and experienced outlook to the classroom materials. Like all training for disaster volunteers there is no cost for these classes. Class spots are limited to twenty-five and pre-registration is encouraged by calling the Darke County Chapter at 548-1002 or emailing gumpl@darkecounty.redcross.org.


 
site search by freefind
click here to sign up for daily news updates
senior scribes

County News Online

is a Fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee. All net profits go into a fund for Darke County Senior Scholarships
contact
Copyright © 2011 and design by cigs.kometweb.com