CONNECTICUT, USA — The American Red Cross in Connecticut has made it clear there is an urgent need for volunteers who are willing to support emergency shelters for local and national disaster relief efforts.
A release on Friday from the Red Cross in Connecticut issued an urgent appeal for more hands on deck.
In emergency shelters, the Red Cross says its disaster volunteers offer people a safe place to stay, necessities such as food and water and important services, including mental health support. The nonprofit humanitarian organization also provides basic health services such as replacing lost medications or medical equipment.
Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign up today at this link.
According to the Red Cross, all interested candidates must complete the required training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment. Applicants who lack disaster experience but have supervision, management or organizational skills, or a strong desire to help others and the ability to thrive in a high-paced, dynamic environment, are being sought by the Red Cross.
“When disasters upend lives, Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines providing refuge and comfort to people in their darkest hours,” Richard Branigan, CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region, said. “They are truly the heart and soul of the Red Cross – comprising 90% of our workforce – to help ensure families never face a crisis alone.”
Volunteers could also serve in Connecticut, supporting the Red Cross’ local daily services such as responding to home fires and flooding as Disaster Action Team Members.
One can also help donors at blood drives as a Blood Donor Ambassador or support local military members, veterans and their families through the Service to the Armed Forces program.
Currently, according to the Red Cross, the nonprofit has around 1,300 disaster responders on the ground across 10 states that were impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast, including hard hit areas in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
Thus far, more than 30 volunteers from the Red Cross’ Connecticut and Rhode Island Region have been deployed to help the Hurricane Helene disaster relief operation.
While the work has just begun, the Red Cross has already provided tens of thousands of overnight shelter stays, meals and snacks, and its emergency response vehicles have been deployed from all over the country, including some from Connecticut. These vehicles help with the distribution of meals, water and critical relief supplies in some of the hardest-hit areas that are accessible.
The Red Cross points out that hurricane season is far from over, as the threat of more storms is looming in the Gulf and Atlantic oceans. Furthermore, the Southwest and California are forecasting a wildfire risk this fall that is above normal.
“As the climate crisis worsens, disasters are becoming more intense and frequent – leading the Red Cross to respond on a nearly continuous basis,” the nonprofit said.
Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, there are still several ways to help. One can donate financially by visiting the Red Cross website or by texting the word HELENE to 90999.
Hurricane Helene has also caused more than 2,500 blood donations to go uncollected in the Southeast, and the need for blood remains constant for patients in need. One can schedule a blood appointment now by visiting here or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves, the Red Cross says.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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