I want to go help ( hurricane)

[earthmama]

I called the red cross and they need volunteers to go down to LA and surrounding areas to help but they need people for 2-3 weeks. I can not do that long.

Anyone know of any other place that needs volunteers?

on edit - I called the local RED CROSS office here in Charlotte NC. They are sending peole down. I did sign up to volunteer locally.

[phusion]

1. Jeez...

If I wasn't in school I would go in a second.

[earthmama]

3. me too

I would go for 3 weeks but have no oe to watch my 1 year old for that long. Daddy works ALOT

[Qibing Zero]

2. Any links to info on that? nt

[earthmama]

5. On what?

the red cross wanting people to go down? I called them and asked them here in Charlotte.

[Qibing Zero]

7. Specific things they need help with, where to stay, etc? nt

[earthmama]

9. well ...

They said that the volunteers would stay in shelters and the red cross would pay for them to get down there.

As for what they need help with probally EVERYTHING. The woman told me that they would match your skills with what they have locally and there.

I think if you call your local office they might be able to help with your questions

[crispini]

4. who did you call?

what would volunteers be doing? what number did you call?

[earthmama]

6. here ....

I called the red cross here in Charlotte nc 704.378.4620

[iamjoy]

8. Your Heart Is In The Right Place, But...

Because it can take several hours to get some one trained, the Red Cross usually likes to do it before a disaster hits. It is called, "Ready When The Time Comes."

From what I hear on the radio, relief efforts are going to be a logistical nightmare. It is not worth the time and resources of the relief organizations to train some one who wants to help for a few hours or days.

Do you have experience dealing with natural disasters? Are youa medical professional (doctor, nurse, paramedic, etc)? If not, you are better sending money. Don't have much money? Get a second job and send every penny to a relief organization.

[earthmama]

10. You see...

I can go down for a week to 10 days.

I am not a doc or a nurse just someone who wants to help even if it is passing out water to people who need it. I have donated money already and want to do more.

[iamjoy]

12. I Stand Corrected

Good for you.

[CottonBear]

11. See this article: I just heard on WDSU that all roads into LA are closed.

http://2theadvocate.com/livepages4/826.shtml
N.O. evacuees work as Red Cross volunteers

2theadvocate.com staff report

Approximately 200 New-Orleans-area evacuees are working as Red Cross volunteers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, according to an organization official.<P>

Ashlee Gunter, assistant director of the Red Cross chapter that represents 10 parishes in the Greater Baton Rouge area, said the organization also has volunteers from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, with more expected to come in from around the United States.<P>

But Gunter said more volunteers are invaluable for what the "enormous operation." entails.<P>

"Spontaneous volunteers are absolutely essential," Gunter said. She added that the local Greater Baton Rouge chapter has just 15 paid workers, with the rest of its crew comprising of volunteers.<P>

People interested in volunteering should go to the Red Cross office at 10201 Mayfair Drive. Prospective volunteers fill out paperwork and then undergo training for various relief efforts.

Gunter said Greater Baton Rouge Red Cross disaster assessment crews are currently working in Livingston and Ascension parishes, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on Tom Drive is housing supply trucks. The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales is being used as a shelter, and the local Red Cross unit has a 15,000 square foot warehouse stacked with goods, Gunter said.<P>

The Red Cross of New Orleans is set up in Covington, according to Gunter.<P>

In addition to requesting volunteer assistance, Gunter said the Red Cross can also use monetary donations. Financial donations should be sent to 10201 Mayfair Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809.

How to volunteer:

American Red Cross — The Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross requests assistance from anyone willing to help, especially people with medical or mental health backgrounds. Call [phone] or toll-free (866) GET-INFO. Volunteer packets are available at www.batonrouge.redcross.org.

Volunteers unable to get through on busy phones lines can go to the chapter office at 10201 Mayfair Drive.

Salvation Army — The Baton Rouge office, 7361 Airline Highway, is setting up warehouse distributions in Baton Rouge to send supplies and aid to the New Orleans area. They need people physically able to unload trucks and help organize supplies. To help, please call volunteer coordinator Karen Hills at [phone].

[I_Make_Mistakes]

13. Try local churches

If you stick to the historical mainline Christians, I promise they won't try to convert you, but accept the help appreciatively.

As an ELCA (Lutheran), I volunteered and answered phones, for the Kosovo evacuation.

You may actually be able to help locally, through co-ordinating efforts for some of the disaster recovery groups. There are things that will need to be done (logistically) that can't be done in the area physically damaged.