CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO — The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts.
Interested volunteers are urged to sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment. Applicants who don’t have disaster experience, but have supervision, management or organization skills; a strong desire to help others; and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, are encouraged to apply.
“When disasters upend lives, Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines providing refuge and comfort to people in their darkest hours,” Micheal Sullivan, Executive Director, Red Cross of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas said. “They truly are the heart and soul of the Red Cross — comprising 90% of our workforce — to help ensure families never face a crisis alone.”
‘This Is Safe’: Helene family shares what shelter means to them
In emergency shelters, Red Cross disaster volunteers provide people with a safe place to stay, necessities like food and water, and critical services like mental health support and basic health services such as replacing lost medications or medical equipment.
Over the weekend in Perry, Florida, Amber Barteau and her family sought refuge at a Red Cross shelter after discovering that Hurricane Helene devastated their home — which marked the third time they’ve survived a hurricane in just over a year. “As soon as I pulled up to the shelter, it made me feel good,” Amber said. “I thought to myself, this is safe, and I’m going to be OK.”
Red Cross mobilizes massive response to Helene
Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest storms to ever hit the United States, leaving behind hundreds of miles of catastrophic damage and changing lives forever. In the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, the Red Cross is managing many shelters where residents can get hot meals and emotional support. While disaster assessments are still underway in hard-to-reach areas, emergency officials are planning for shelters to be needed for several weeks, based on the storm’s initial widespread destruction.
As of Wednesday, more than 1,200 Red Cross disasters responders are working around the clock to provide safe shelter, comfort and support for people facing unimaginable destruction across the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Locally, the Missouri and Arkansas Region has sent 51 individuals to support the Hurricane Helene response.
Climate crisis threats continue
Hurricane season is far from over — and the threat of more storms looms now in the Gulf and Atlantic oceans. What’s more, the Southwest and California are forecast to have above-normal wildfire risk this fall. As the climate crisis worsens, disasters are becoming more intense and frequent — leading the Red Cross to respond on a nearly continuous basis.
How to help
Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, people can help in other ways too following Helene:
- DONATE FINANCIALLY: Financial donations are the quickest and fastest way to get help to people who need it. Visit org or text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation to help people affected by Hurricane Helene. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
- GIVE BLOOD: Hurricane Helene has caused more than 1,500 blood donations to go uncollected in the Southeast — yet the need for blood remains constant for patients in need. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting org or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves.
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 follow us on social media.