Today 6pm-9pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shelter workers needed now for Hurricane Helene, more needed for future disasters
The American Red Cross Northern Oklahoma Chapter is holding shelter academies this week to train additional volunteers for hurricane relief efforts and other disasters.
Monday, Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m.
Logan County Emergency Management
219 S Broad St.
Guthrie, OK 73044
Thursday, Oct. 3, 12-3 p.m.
Christian Church of the Covenant
1205 S Cleveland St.
Enid, OK 73703
Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
American Red Cross
118 W 7th Ave.
Stillwater, OK 74074
Individuals who are not currently Red Cross volunteers are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Community Disaster Program Manager Stephen Duke by emailing stephen.duke@redcross.org.
The shelter academies will cover different roles and responsibilities within Red Cross shelters; setting up, opening, operating and closing a shelter; and working with shelter clients who have access or functional needs.
Volunteers who complete the training will be able to respond to local and national relief operations. Current Red Cross volunteers who are not disaster workers and new volunteers are both encouraged to attend.
“People always ask how they can help during disasters," said Michael Chancia, Red Cross Regional Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager. "We understand it can be frustrating to hear about the requirements needed to become a volunteer. We created the shelter academies so people can quickly receive the training to become disaster workers. This lets them actively participate in the Red Cross mission and make an immediate impact.”
Thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Helene are currently taking refuge in shelters. The Red Cross is seeking shelter workers who can deploy to help with the response to Helene, for any additional hurricanes this season, and during local climate disasters like tornadoes and wildfires.
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED As climate disasters become more frequent and intense, it’s become increasingly common for the Red Cross to respond to multiple large disasters simultaneously. Year-round, the Red Cross is ready to respond effectively to disasters of any size. That’s why it’s so critical for us to have the resources and support to maintain a network of more than 21,000 trained disaster workers — more than 90% of whom are volunteers — and warehouses nationwide stocked with relief supplies.
If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. See all the ways you can help. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteer.