Local volunteers to help with Harvey, Irma
The American Red Cross continues to seek volunteers and donations after powerful hurricanes struck different parts of the country within about two weeks of each other.
According to spokesman Richard Branigan, the Connecticut and Rhode Island region of the nonprofit has deployed about 100 volunteers since Hurricane Harvey struck Texas Aug. 25 and Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean islands and Florida beginning Wednesday.
About 35 of the volunteers came from eastern Connecticut, said Sue Bolen, who trains and coordinates local volunteers.
Branigan said about 15 of the volunteers headed to Orlando before Irma made landfall there. The rest are in Texas, and many of them are coming to the end of their two-week stays. That means the Red Cross, while it’s mobilizing volunteers to assist in the islands and Florida, also needs to replace volunteers stationed in Texas.
“I think for us the greatest need is twofold: volunteer resources … and financial contributions to support the mission that is chartered by Congress but funded out of the generosity of the American public,” Branigan said. “Those financial contributions allow us to actually send the volunteers to help others.”
Bolen said volunteers generally gain new skillsets when they deploy to help with disasters. She considers that a good thing for multiple reasons, including that they quickly can help in their own towns if disaster strikes there.
Still, it can be tough finding people who are willing and able to volunteer.
“It’s hard because so many of our regular volunteers can’t go because of work and family,” Bolen said. “Giving up two weeks is a huge deal.”
Bolen on Saturday hosted a training session in Norwich for new volunteers and plans to host another one this coming Saturday. She said about 60 volunteers are ready to be sent out to places including Florida, Georgia and the U.S. Virgin Islands — they’re just waiting for airports to reopen. But Bolen predicted many more volunteers would be needed.
“When we had Sandy and Irene come through, volunteers from around the country came and helped us,” she said. “Now we’re paying them back.”
To volunteer, visit www. redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.