Volunteers Needed to Assist with Disaster Relief Work Across the Country
LOUISVILLE, KY, Wednesday, October 7, 2020 — The American Red Cross Kentucky Region will offer special virtual “Heroes Needed” volunteer training events over the next few weeks. Red Cross disaster volunteers are trained to respond to all types of disasters and "Heroes Needed" is an opportunity for new volunteers with no disaster training to become a Red Cross "Hero" in just a few days. Individuals will receive basic skills to become a disaster responder, interact with Red Cross disaster workers and have a chance to assist in disaster relief efforts. With several major disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires impacting several states throughout the country, and Hurricane Delta predicted to cause significant impact, volunteers are needed now.
WHO: The American Red Cross Kentucky Region, covering Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
WHAT: Virtual “Heroes Needed” training events provide an opportunity for new volunteers to fast track training into one to two day(s). Individuals will receive basic skills to become a disaster responder, interact with Red Cross disaster workers and have a chance to assist in disaster relief efforts.
WHY: More than 50 Red Cross Kentucky Region disaster volunteers have deployed to assist with wildfires in the West and Hurricanes Laura and Sally in the Southeast. More than 1,600 Red Crossers from around the country are supporting disaster relief efforts on the ground or virtually to help with these massive disasters. As of Sunday evening, the Red Cross and our partners cared for 17,200 people across five states, the need for volunteers is great.
Trained volunteers provide feeding, sheltering, health and mental health services, assist with long-term recovery planning and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by disaster. Locally, volunteers respond to disasters daily, such as home fires, as well as offer preparedness education. Red Cross volunteers truly are heroes because they offer help and hope to those in need.
WHEN: Virtual Training Sessions
METHOD: Virtual Training via Microsoft Teams
October 14-15, 6-9pm EST
October 17, 10am-3:30pm EST
October 19-20, 9am-12pm EST
CONTACT: For training information and how to register contact, Stacy Taylor-Bernard at stacy.taylorbernard2@redcross.org or (502) 612-9202
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.