SOUTH CAROLINA, April 29, 2022 — As forecasters predict another active Atlantic hurricane season, the American Red Cross of South Carolina is seeking new volunteers to respond to a growing number of climate-driven disasters. This year’s heightened hurricane outlook is part of a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and floods. 

Just in 2021, South Carolina Red Cross volunteers responded to nearly 1,600 disasters within the state, assisting 5,600 people. Additionally, The Red Cross of South Carolina responded to calls to support neighbors in need across the country following multiple large-scale disasters, including Midwest & Southern Tornadoes, Hurricanes Ida and Henri, and the Western Wildfires. During the 2021 disaster season, the South Carolina Red Cross Region deployed more than 125 disaster workers, several of them multiple times, to provide comfort and relief to countless families impacted from coast to coast.  

“Volunteers are at the heart of our mission, representing 90% of our workforce and responding on a near-constant basis to provide safe shelter, food and comfort after disasters across the country,” said Rod Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of South Carolina. “As this relentless pace of severe crises continues, we need more volunteers to grow our capacity and help ensure families never face these emergencies alone.”

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to help provide relief and hope to people affected by disasters. Our most-needed positions include:

• Shelter support: Help at a shelter during a large disaster by welcoming and registering residents, serving meals, setting up cots, distributing blankets and personal hygiene kits, and providing information and other assistance to people in need. 
• Health services: Use your professional skills as a licensed health care provider to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN.
• Disaster Action Team: Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families affected by home fires and other disasters by providing support, such as food, lodging, comfort and recovery assistance.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 1-7, 2022, and the American Red Cross reminders people the best time to prepare for a hurricane is before one threatens your home and family. 

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY NOW With the increasing risk of climate disasters, it’s more important than ever to follow the three simple steps below to help keep your family safe. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for more safety information, including real-time weather alerts and disaster shelter locations, by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or visiting redcross.org/apps.

• Build an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information.
• Make an evacuation plan with what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans — and don’t forget your pets.
• Know how to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.  

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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