Volunteering for the Red Cross--LOT's of help needed + Resources for Evacuees (Houston: hotel, to buy)

[Paka]

For those that can help out in this time of need, here is some information on how to assist the Red Cross.


The American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Chapter needs hundreds of people to volunteer to help in shelters, the call center and provide administrative support during Hurricane Gustav.

Officials are asking people to go to the Freeman Coliseum Volunteer Operations Center Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers need to go to the west gate, Gate A, off of Houston Street.

If you can help, you need to complete an application, a background check and orientation.

Volunteers need to bring a photo ID and bring a schedule of their availability.

For more information, call the Red Cross at (210) 582-1997.

[Bo]

As I explained in the off-topic thread, helping evacuees takes precedence over off-topic discussion, so this thread will remain sticky for a few days, as the need for volunteers ramps up.

Feel free to post details of other official resources and news articles that may be useful to evacuees and evacuee-assistance volunteers here.

Here's a news article that discusses hotel/motel room availability and official efforts.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/SA_is_at_the_eye_of_the_storm_in_safety_preparatio ns.html (broken link)

[PopsGuysRule]

Originally Posted by Bowie

As I explained in the off-topic thread, helping evacuees takes precedence over off-topic discussion, so this thread will remain sticky for a few days, as the need for volunteers ramps up.

Feel free to post details of other official resources and news articles that may be useful to evacuees and evacuee-assistance volunteers here.

Here's a news article that discusses hotel/motel room availability and official efforts.

www.mysanantonio.com >> Weather - S.A. is at the eye of the storm in safety preparations (broken link)

Where IS the off topic thread????

[Bo]

Originally Posted by PopsGuysRule

Where IS the off topic thread????

About 10 posts down from this one ATM. I'll add a link to my post #2 above.

[Chaka]

If you have stuff to donate, wait a few days until things have quieted down, then donate. Though very generous, any items received during a crisis have to be cleaned and sorted, they don't get used directly. This requires pulling people away from other tasks. In the past ARC has preferred cash donations during emergencies, as it allows them to buy exactly what is needed. Typically goods such as clothes and blankets have been provided by Salvation Army, while ARC handles purchases of those items not typically donated. The best time to donate is when there's not an emergency situation. We're watching a few other disturbances in the Atlantic. Gustav may have just been a trial run. Right now things are still in high gear for repatriation, but in a few days things should have quieted down - best time to donate and to sign up!


Donating time: sign up with the red cross volunteers in between the storms. get your name on the list, along with info on your background and your skills. You will be called up when there's an emergency. Again, it's much easier to organize when they're not in the middle of a crisis.

If you have medical skills, note that in this area American Red Cross does not provide medical services during an emergency. Instead, contact the city's Medical Volunteers Coordinating Committee to sign up or Baptist Child and Family Services. Also note, however, that if you work for a hospital, they have first dibs on your time in an emergency and may not release you to respond elsewhere.

[Bo]

The Express-News says that there are fewer than 400 evacuees (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Number_of_Gustav_evacuees_in_SA_dwindles.html - broken link) remaining in SA now and that the number will continue to drop as evacuation orders are rescinded in more places. That's why I've removed the sticky from this thread.

[wCat]

Better safe than sorry. It's good the worst is over....at least for Gustav and this area.

Guess we better go donate now between storms! Paka.....thanks for posting this important info.....and Bowie....thanks for the temp sticky!