(FINDLAY, OH, FEBRUARY 15, 2022) The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio needs local volunteers to respond to disasters in their community. To help recruit and train new Disaster Action Team volunteers, the Red Cross will be holding a public information presentation on Thursday, March 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the large conference room of the Upper Sandusky Community Library, 301 N. Sandusky Ave. in Upper Sandusky.
The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year, said Executive Director Todd James. The majority of those disasters are local home fires.
“People see major disasters in the news, like the tornadoes that decimated parts of the South and Midwest in December, and they know the Red Cross is there providing shelter, food and comfort,” James said. “But it’s here at home where we handle most of our disaster responses, helping families who have lost their homes to fire or a local flood or storm.”
James said the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their volunteer teams, like it has almost every other organization. “We have a lot of volunteers who had to step back from helping and haven’t been able to return. It’s vital that we have trained volunteers ready to answer a call for help at all times.”
James said he knows that there is a commitment of time and effort to being a Disaster Action Team volunteer, but the return is well worth it. “Our volunteers will tell you that the feeling that comes with helping a family after a fire or other disaster is worth more than gold, knowing that on someone’s darkest day they are the light of hope.”
At the information session, attendees will learn the requirements to be a Disaster Action Team volunteer and will have the opportunity to speak with current volunteers to ask questions and learn about their experiences.Refreshments will be provided at the event. People can attend in person or virtually. RSVPs are requested but not required for in-person attendance. Virtual attendees will need to RSVP to receive a link to the event. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Red Cross at NEOvolunteer@redcross.org or call (216) 431-3328.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Become a Red Cross disaster volunteer to help ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to learn more and apply.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About the Northern Ohio Region:
The Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross serves 31 counties and their 5.3 million residents by preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Subscribe to our blog at nohredcross.org, find us at Facebook.com/NOHRedCross, on Instagram at Instagram.com/nohredcross, at LinkedIn.com/in/nohredcross, and follow us @RedCrossNOH on Twitter.