GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Volunteers from the American Red Cross in Southwest Michigan are headed south to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Regional Disaster Officer Latoysa Rooks said that when a disaster happens, volunteers begin preparing days before.
“For an event like this, we actually start three or four days before we know the storm is coming ashore. So, we send resources, both material and people, ahead of the storm, and then after the storm, we deploy even more folks in to be able to support that operation,” said Rooks.
She added that volunteers are often asked to stay two weeks when the storm has hit.
The volunteers that have been deployed south specialize in sheltering and feeding operations.
“We send volunteers who specialize in sheltering, because we want to absolutely make sure that before the storm and after that, people have a safe place for their family and their pets on occasion to lay their heads. We also have folks there who specialize in feeding, both feeding in the shelters and then also in our emergency response vehicles, which provide mobile feeding. And then there are those who also post-landfall, specialize in emergency the distribution of emergency supplies, and that can vary depending on what is needed in those particular communities,” said Rooks.
13 ON YOUR SIDE tried to speak to volunteers currently deployed but weren’t able to.
Rooks said the volunteers not only help people with the things they need physically but also emotionally.
“We may not be able to rebuild their home, but we can provide, you know, that hug. We can provide that hope, and know that this is what our mission is. We do this all the time. We do this across the country, and I think it just gives someone a warm feeling to know on literally the worst few days of their lives. You know, we're there for them,” said Rooks.
Rooks said blood donations are highly encouraged because of the injuries people may sustain from the storm.
She also said monetary donations help as well.
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