PARKERSBURG — With another active hurricane season bearing down, wildfires raging in the west and many volunteers sidelined or limited by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the American Red Cross could use a hand.
A lot of them, actually — and arms too.
“This is a tremendous need,” said Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the Red Cross’ Ohio River Valley Chapter. “We definitely need an increase in those that are willing to serve locally and those that are willing to serve outside our area.”
The chapter provides volunteers to operate disaster shelters in areas of need around the country. Three people from the Central Appalachia Region are serving at wildfire sites now, though none of them are from the local chapter, Kesselring said.
Volunteers can be deployed to provide reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other services at disaster shelters. The Red Cross is also seeking volunteers who are health care professionals with a current and unencumbured licensure to provide hands-on care.
A release provided by Kesselring says the Red Cross plans to open group shelters but hotels may be more appropriate in some communities based on the risk posed by COVID-19 and the more infectious delta variant. Many safety precautions implemented last year — masks, health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing — will continue, the release says.
But people don’t have to leave the Mid-Ohio Valley to help the Red Cross help others. Volunteers like Vienna resident Mike Barnes respond to house fires, floods and other incidents to help those affected get access to food, shelter and clothing.
“If you enjoy working with others and helping others, this is a great opportunity to get involved,” said Barnes, who became a Red Cross volunteer after retiring seven years ago.
“There’s a good support team behind you, so you’re never out there alone.”
Because of the pandemic, Barnes has had to do much of his volunteer work for the last year-and-a-half by phone.
“You don’t get to see them face to face and offer them comfort,” he said, noting some on-scene work is resuming.
People wanting to volunteer locally or around the country are asked to visit redcross.org/volunteer or contact area offices at 304-340-3650 or carvolunteerservices@redcross.org.
The Red Cross continues to need blood donors as well. The wildfires, record-breaking heat and upcoming hurricane season can have a negative impact on the blood supply, both in terms of increasing need and limiting opportunities for donation, the release says.
“We’re watching a decrease occur in blood donors in August … after having a good July,” Kesselring said.
Eligible donors can make appointments using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
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