With an expected buys Hurricane Season, the Red Cross of South Carolina needs new volunteers to help in local communities. The coronavirus pandemic will make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. Therefore, it is important to build upon the robust local teams.

‘I saw on the local news a few weeks ago that you all were looking for volunteers, and with the COVID19 situation, I have some extra time on my hands. I have always wanted to volunteer, and I feel like the Red Cross is a wonderful organization. I went on the website and filled out the application and here I am,’ said Susan Converse, a new volunteer that joined at the end of July. ‘Hurricane season is certainly here!’

Converse was quickly trained and onboarded through virtual training. She helped the Red Cross of South Carolina in our response to Hurricane Isaias.

‘I have been very impressed with the training from the Red Cross and I definitely feel when I do go into a shelter, I will be ready,’ said Converse. ‘Everyone has been terrific, and I know I will have a strong support system.’

The Red Cross currently is in need of volunteers to work in our shelters and those that have a professional medical license to help with our Disaster Health Teams.

‘This is a great opportunity to give back to the community. You know, I feel like I have been very fortunate in my life and anytime you have a chance to help out in desperate situations, which usually these are, I encourage folks to do it,’ said Converse. ‘I am just looking forward to seeing what I can contribute.’

Full information on volunteer opportunities is available here.

SHELTER HELP NEEDED There is a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible. If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce.

We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.

HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current, and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19 like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.

Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education, and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/volunteertoday or email your local contact

·         Eastern SC: herdie.mathews@redcross.org

·         Lowcountry: liz.hough@redcross.org 

·         Central SC: megan.shockley@redcross.org

·         Upstate SC: kareen.adlam@redcross.org 

Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider, and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.

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