Red Cross is looking for volunteers in Missouri and Arkansas
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo —The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is recruiting new volunteers to help respond to local emergencies including home fires by supporting people in their time of greatest need.
In the Missouri and Arkansas Region, trained Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers have responded to more than 1,900 home fires so far this fiscal year, and have helped over 6,900 people impacted by a fire in their home.
In the Southern Missouri chapter, Red Cross responded to over 200 home fires so far this fiscal year, assisting over 730 people.
When a home fire occurs, Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are needed to respond to the fire to ensure the family members receive immediate assistance including finances for a place to stay, food and clothing. Services provided are free and available to anyone impacted by a home fire.
“Our Red Cross volunteers support their community and neighbors in need each and every day by responding to local emergencies,” said Stacy Burks, Executive Director for the American Red Cross serving Southern Missouri. “We need more volunteer help so that no one faces this heartbreaking situation alone.”
“Volunteers who serve in these roles find the work extremely rewarding because they are able to be there in someone’s darkest hour and offer help and hope following devastating situations,” Burks added.
Volunteers for the Disaster Action Team are need across the Missouri and Arkansas region, but especially needed in the following counties:
- Jasper County Missouri
- Oregon County Missouri
- Ozark County Missouri
- Shannon County Missouri
- Wright County Missouri
BLOOD SERVICES VOLUNTEERS ALSO NEEDED
The Red Cross also needs volunteers to support blood collections as the country faces an ongoing critical need for blood products and platelets. Blood donor ambassadors play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in our communities.
Volunteers for Blood Services positions are needed across the Missouri and Arkansas region, but especially needed in the following counties:
- Greene County Missouri
- Ozark County Missouri
Training is free, but the hope provided as a Red Cross volunteer is priceless. If interested in volunteering, call 1-800-Red Cross, or go online.
Locally, individuals may contact:
Maggie Raynolds: margaret.raynolds@redcross.org