The American Red Cross of the Greater Shenandoah Valley is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall to support major national disaster relief efforts or help here locally so others can deploy. For almost a month, exhausted families across the Southeast have been living with the inconceivable damage left behind after Hurricanes Milton and Helene. As families try to take their next steps, more than 1,200 American Red Cross responders are with them, providing shelter, meals, relief supplies and a shoulder to lean to make sure no one faces this disaster alone.
Interested volunteers are urged to sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete necessary training, have a current driver’s license and if wishing to deploy, 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.
“The devastation left behind from Hurricanes Helene and Milton have upend lives, Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines providing refuge and comfort to people in their darkest hours,” Deborah Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross 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.”
Several training opportunities are scheduled in person and virtually for those who are already completed the registration process on:
- Friday, November 1st 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm or
- Saturday, November 2nd 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
The trainings will be held at the American Red Cross Hagerstown Office located at 1131 Conrad Court, Hagerstown, MD 21740. If you have questions about these trainings, please email Jesse.Hott@redcross.org.
For almost a month, exhausted families across the Southeast have been living with the inconceivable damage left behind after Hurricanes Milton and Helene. As families try to take their next steps, more than 1,200 American Red Cross responders are with them, providing shelter, meals, relief supplies and a shoulder to lean to make sure no one faces this disaster alone. With the help of partners, we’ve provided some 2.3 million meals and snacks, and more than 184,800 relief items like cleaning and hygiene supplies for thousands of affected families.
Tuesday night, some 1,260 people were still staying in shelters across the affected states where 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.
Hurricane season is not over, and the Southwest and California are forecast to have above-normal wildfire risk this fall. As extreme weather worsens, disasters are becoming more intense and frequent — leading the Red Cross to respond on a nearly continuous basis. Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, people can help in other ways too such as donating financially or scheduling a blood donation. Learn more about you can become a hero at redcross.org.