This week, the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region called for volunteers willing to travel to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts.
Interested volunteers are urged to sign up at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete the 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 desire to help, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced 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,” Jake Peters, Regional Disaster Officer of Texas Gulf Coast Region, said. “They truly are the heart and soul of the Red Cross — comprising 90 percent of our workforce — to help ensure families never face a crisis alone.”
Red Cross disaster volunteers provide a safe place to stay, necessities like food and water, critical services like mental health support, and basic health services such as replacing lost medications or medical equipment.
As of Monday, more than 900 Red Cross disaster responders are on the ground across 10 states devastated by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast, including hard-hit North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
On Sunday night, more than 2,600 people stayed in 69 emergency shelters supported by the Red Cross and other community organizations. That overnight total jumped by some 600 people in just one day — and as storm-ravaged communities like those in North Carolina become more accessible, the Red Cross expects the need will continue to grow. While disaster assessments are still underway in hard-to-reach areas, emergency officials are planning for shelter operations to last at least several weeks based on the storm’s initial widespread destruction.
Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, people can help in other ways, too, following Helene. Visit redcross.org or text the word HELENE to 90999 to donate to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.
