MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Northeast West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross deployed a Jump Team made up of West Virginia Volunteers to Puerto Rico Tuesday.
Chapter Executive Director Jason Keeling said the team is comprised of one Red Cross professional and four experienced volunteers who will “jump” from area to area as needed.
Keeling said the team is being led by Clair Brendel, a disaster program manager who works out of the chapter’s Eastern Panhandle office in Kearneysville.
Four other volunteers from West Virginia with varying backgrounds will go with her to help victims of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
“This team is going to go with her, from West Virginia,” Keeling told WEPM News. “So it strengthens their working relationships, but in another place.”
The Red Cross has been mobilizing volunteers and relief supplies to help with recovery efforts the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
Keeling said they are in the “Mass Care Phase”.
“Our priorities are making sure people have a safe place to stay, they have food to eat, and that their medical needs are being met,” he said.
Brendel’s team includes Dylan Trip and James Wilbik, who each have military backgrounds; Jessie Molina, a native of Puerto Rico who speaks Spanish and Portuguese; and Monica Kaufman, who has previously done outreach work in remote Africa.
The Red Cross is accepting donations to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma with a link on their website, www.redcross.org.
You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the words HARVEY or IRMA to 90999 to make a $10 donation.