By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
The American Red Cross is asking for area residents to “Spring Into Action” and become volunteers.
A statement from the Red Cross organization states: “Every day, the Red Cross sees the heartbreak of people coping with more intense storms, heavier rainfall, higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes and more devastating wildfires. As more people rely on the Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater. Help comfort and support people who are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other emergencies, so they don’t have to face tough times alone.”
Volunteers are needed in these positions:
-SHELTER SUPPORT TEAM – In-person shelter support to assist with reception, registration feeding, dormitory, information collection, and other vital tasks to help those we serve.
-CASEWORK RECOVERY TEAM – Support people who have been impacted by disasters in their long-term recovery. Caseworkers provide resources, referrals, and empathetic listening and problem solving.
-DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES TEAM – Health professionals are needed in shelters to provide hands-on care, health education, health assessments, and additional health-related support.
-LOGISTICS PROCUREMENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE – Provide a vital link to mission delivery by ensuring needed materials and supplies are procured in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
For more information, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday or email volunteerillinois@redcross.org
Kathi Fluck of Geneseo, who is the Lead Recruitment Volunteer and a Blood Donor Ambassador, shared that she wished “more people would give blood. It’s the one way you can help up to three people with about one hour of your time. A single car accident can use as many as 100 units of blood.”
She added, “The Red Cross is seeking volunteers due to the more frequent intense weather events we are experiencing in this area, and what many people don’t know is that being a Red Cross volunteer doesn’t mean you have to be active four days a week, you can choose how much time you volunteer, and every little bit helps!”