TAMPA, Fla. – September 18, 2020 – Before dawn this morning, six Red Cross disaster volunteers from across Central Florida rolled out in three emergency response vehicles (ERVs) to help victims of Hurricane Sally in the Panhandle. These local team members will join several hundred others from across the Southeast U.S. who have rushed to the aid of residents of north Florida and coastal Alabama, dealing with the devastation and massive flooding left behind from the storm.

Emergency response vehicles, including one of the newest “next generation” vehicles of our fleet delivered just a few months ago, are core to the Red Cross humanitarian mission. This is the signature red and white van that delivers food, supplies and hope to disaster survivors. The two-person teams assigned to each vehicle represent volunteers from the counties of Bradenton, Pinellas, Polk and Seminole.

In total, 30 local Red Cross disaster workers have answered the call for help for Hurricane Sally and are supporting emergency relief efforts like sheltering, feeding, logistics, staffing, transportation and disaster health services. Several are deployment veterans who have been paired with newly trained volunteers, some of which are on their first assignment outside the region. All volunteers have completed advanced health screenings and COVID-19 operating protocols.

HOW TO HELP Tens of thousands of people are depending on the Red Cross for support right now. Citizens can help by making a donation or becoming a volunteer. 

To donate, visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS or text the word HURRICANES to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

To volunteer, get started at redcross.org/VolunteerToday. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult their health care provider and follow local guidance. Our top priority is the health and safety of our workforce and the people we serve.

WITH APPRECIATION Generous donations from Florida businesses and organizations enable the American Red Cross of Central Florida to respond when disasters occur and help families during the recovery process. With tremendous gratitude, we acknowledge Circle K and its customers for generous donations to sponsor the ERV, and Publix and its customers for donations made at the register for hurricane relief.

The Central Florida Region of the American Red Cross serves 19 counties through five chapters: Florida’s Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay. For more information, visit redcross.org/centralflorida. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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