Red Cross Volunteers Helping After Helene

The American Red Cross has sent more than 1,000 volunteers to the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, with around 25 of them being from the organization’s Central Appalachian Region, according to Red Cross officials.

American Red Cross of the Allegheny Highlands Executive Director Jason Keeling told 12 News, WBOY, that these volunteers are dispatched to ensure that people who live there have shelter, food, clothing and any sort of medical supplies that have been displaced.

In addition to that, Keeling said the Red Cross is doing its best to ensure that the blood supply continues to be available to those who have medical needs. He added that many affected areas are without power, which has prevented local blood drives from happening in these areas.

“We are projecting right now that there are about 1,500 units of blood that would normally be collected on a daily basis, I believe, that are unable to be collected locally,” said Keeling.

Keeling said that the primary focus of these volunteers is to provide those affected by Helene with access to shelter. He said that roads are still impassable in some of these areas, particularly the Carolinas, and these volunteers are trying to tend to the needs of those who are able to get to the American Red Cross shelters.

Keeling added that when the roads do manage to open back up, the Red Cross is anticipating its shelters to increase in size due to many people still being without power. He said that plausibly, it’ll likely take multiple weeks before power is restored in some of these areas.

According to Keeling, one of the best ways that West Virginians can help out is by donating blood, which could be circulated to people in the affected areas. You can set up an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor app, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or through redcross.org.

The American Red Cross is also accepting financial donations, which can be submitted by texting HELENE to 90999. Keeling stated that there are also volunteering options available on-site for some people who may be interested. Keeling said that the organization sometimes sends new volunteers to areas affected by disasters after their training is complete, particularly to help with the sheltering effort.

Interested volunteers are urged to sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete 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 strong desire to help others; and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, are encouraged to apply.

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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