Red Cross needs more volunteers for hurricane recovery

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The American Red Cross is encouraging West Virginians to get involved with recovery efforts in Texas, Florida and surrounding states following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

“We have over a dozen positions that we’re looking to fill,” said Erica Mani, regional CEO for American Red Cross, West Virginia Region.

The jobs include sheltering, feeding, logistics, distributing supplies, conducting damage assessments, case work and more.

Nearly 50 volunteers have been deployed since Harvey hit last month.

Thousands of people remain in shelters following the Category 4 hurricanes. The Red Cross now has their eye on Hurricane Maria.

“It’s unprecedented to have had this large of a storm followed by yet another large storm and now we’re watching Hurricane Maria. We’re very concerned about our U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, so we’re preparing for yet more destruction,” Mani said.

Maria made landfall Tuesday as the first Category 5 hurricane in Dominica’s history. The storm is now heading toward Puerto Rico.

Mani is encouraging West Virginians to help victims get back on their feet. She said training is available at offices statewide.

“We have training that will happen on multiple days. Someone can come in for just one day for about seven hours and receive the amount of training it would take to really lend a hand,” she said.

Volunteers are deployed for about two weeks, Mani said.

To get started, call the American Red Cross or visit redcross.org/beahero.





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