GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The American Red Cross is looking for residents in our area to volunteer to assist people being impacted by disasters across the country.
You don’t have to be an expert in hurricanes and wildfires to see the impact they have had on fellow Americans in recent weeks. But now, the Red Cross is asking for help from anyone who is willing to donate their time.
“We’re a little bit stressed. Just late last week, the number was over 20,000 people that the American Red Cross had in its care,” said Northeast Wisconsin Red Cross Executive Director Steve Hansen. “At this point in time, the Red Cross is currently setting up additional shelters in all of these disaster impacted areas…really the greatest need is to have shelter workers that are available.”
Those shelters are typically larger, spaced out facilities like gymnasiums or convention halls.
The Red Cross provides a comprehensive volunteer training program, which is specific to sheltering work and what the volunteers would actually be doing during their two-week assignment.
“We’ll have a discussion with each person that expresses interest to make sure that they understand their role, that they understand some of the concerns that are out there regarding COVID-19, to make sure that they can pass their own personal health screening,” Hansen told WTAQ News. “We’ll make sure that there is definitely an understanding and comfort level with each and every person that’s interested.”
And while they are looking for volunteers in general, those with licensing in the medical field are highly sought after.
“We’re looking for folks that have medical backgrounds – any type of licensure within the medical profession that can help us with addressing some of the COVID-19 issues,” Hansen said. “We’re creating some very, very safe environments for those that have been displaced. And in coming to our shelters, a very important component that is making sure that we do appropriate health screenings for them.”
For those who may want to volunteer, but are unsure of the time they are able to give – you likely have time to double-check. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the impact of some disasters will like last quite a while.
“We are definitely projecting that this need is going to be ongoing for at least 2 or 3 months,” Hansen predicted. “We could be in the same situation in November as we are right now, based upon how things are looking.”
Those interested in volunteering can click here to sign up, or contact VolunteerWisconsin@redcross.org.
