CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Those willing to volunteer time in West Virginia were needed during the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.
Initially, the focus for Volunteer West Virginia was on supporting partner organizations that rely on volunteers to deliver essential services.
“I think as this plays out, we’re going to see lots of creative and interesting ways that West Virginians can volunteer safely from home and continue to help each other,” said Dana Bryant, communications coordinator for Volunteer West Virginia.
Volunteers were being instructed to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for COVID-19 prevention including hand washing, cleaning surfaces, limiting close contact with others, covering coughs and sneezes and remaining home when sick.
The full list of volunteer needs was posted at volunteer.wv.gov.
Additions were being accepted on a continual basis.
“At Volunteer West Virginia, we’re looking forward to spotlighting more volunteer opportunities and safe ways that we can continue to help each other,” Bryant said.
As of Tuesday morning, volunteers were needed to help foster dogs from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, make masks for healthcare workers and fill boxes for distribution through the Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Foodbank.
Donations of food containers for community meals through High Rocks Academy in Pocahontas County and laptop computers for West Virginia University students were also sought.
“We’re just really grateful for the all West Virginians that are continuing to step up to help,” said Bryant.
“West Virginians are some of the most kind-hearted and generous people, even though we don’t have a lot to give at times. We really feel like this pandemic is going to bring out the best.”
On another front, the American Red Cross West Virginia Region was seeking volunteers who were healthy and feeling well to give blood to make up for canceled blood drive events during the pandemic.
Appointments were available via the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online on RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.