By Staff
KALAMAZOO - Recognizing the unprecedented efforts that will be needed to provide Red Cross services to the vast number of people devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the American Red Cross has launched its largest-ever volunteer recruitment initiative, called &#8221Give Hope Now.“;
The goal of the program is to recruit and train 40,000 new hurricane response volunteers nationwide by the end of the year.
Persons from diverse backgrounds, those with bilingual abilities and those with special skills such as counseling, personnel management, materials management and commercial drivers' licenses are particularly needed.
The Red Cross expects its 2005 hurricane relief response to continue far into 2006.
Locally, the Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter's goal is 500 new, fully-trained volunteers.
The tasks these volunteers may be called upon to perform include:
Working in Red Cross shelters.
Preparing and serving meals.
Distributing essential supplies.
Managing the logistics for supply distribution.
Providing physical and mental health support either in the affected area or working in a call center in another part of the country.
Interviewing clients and processing claims for assistance either in person or at a call center.
Contributing professional and trade skills to aid survivors in recovery.
The Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter will hold a free, informational meeting on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. to outline the need for and requirements of hurricane response volunteers.
This brief session will be held at the chapter office, 5640 Venture Court, Kalamazoo (in Oshtemo Township). All interested persons are urged to attend.
For more information prior to that meeting, please call 269/353-6180, ext. 115.
Persons interested in becoming Red Cross hurricane response volunteers should review the following criteria and guidance:
You must be healthy and able to take of yourself.
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or a demonstrated ability to read, understand and follow written and verbal instructions consistent with the demands of disaster work.