Released by the East Texas Piney Woods Red Cross
LONGVIEW/GREGG COUNTY (KYTX) — With Hurricane Isaac taunting the U.S. coastline, the Red Cross chapters in East Texas know all to well that storms of that nature can and do force evacuees into the local area. While shelters were opened because of the potential threat of Isaac, no evacuees needed help—this time. Now, the Red Cross is urging east Texans who want to become Red Cross volunteers to take their training before the next storm threatens.
The Red Cross is looking for two specific types of volunteers; those who want to work in shelters and nurses to help meet the health needs of evacuees.
East Texans who are interested in attending volunteer training can come to the American Red Cross 1604 E. Texas 31, at the Loop 281 interchange in Longview:
Wednesday, August 29:
Orientation and Shelter Operations: 12:15p.m.-4:00p.m.
Thursday, August 30:
Orientation and Shelter Health Services: 5:15p.m.-9:00p.m.
Saturday, September 1:
Orientation and Shelter Operations: 1:00p.m..-5:00p.m.
"We know that in the past, people who needed to evacuate Louisiana stopped in East Texas for shelter, so it's important that we have enough trained volunteers to work in those shelters," said Tammy Prater, executive director, American Red Cross.
Interested volunteers can arrive at the Red Cross and complete a volunteer application, or visit www.northtexas.redcross.org, click on "North Texas Region" and find your East Texas Piney Woods Chapter to complete the process in advance. For questions, contact your local chapter at (903) 753-2091.
