Red Cross Offers New Volunteer Training – this Saturday!
July 13, 2009
Help organization prepare for hurricane season
COLUMBIA, SC – July 13, 2009 – As we head into the height of the 2009 hurricane season, the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina looks to boost its volunteer resources.
The following courses will be held at the American Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street, Columbia:
- Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fulfilling Our Mission, Mass Care: An Overview, and Shelter Operations
These three entry-level courses are essential for all volunteers.
- Tuesday, July 21, 6-9 p.m.
Disaster Assessment Basics
This brand-new entry-level disaster course is designed to teach the basic principles and tools necessary to perform Disaster Assessment.
Additionally, an informational meeting for new and existing volunteers will be held Tuesday, July 14, 6-9 p.m. at the American Red Cross.
As a volunteer-led organization, the American Red Cross is only as strong as the communities it serves, said Stacy Jones, disaster director for the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina. In order for the Red Cross to continue to be the premiere organization in disaster relief, we need to grow our volunteer reserves.
The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to help fulfill its mission. To effectively respond to a large-scale disaster, your local Red Cross needs approximately 1,000 volunteers. Since studies show that only 1/3 of volunteers are available at any given time, the Red Cross needs to have 3,000 volunteers trained and ready to respond.
Anyone interested in taking these classes is asked to RSVP to 540-1237 or 540-1215 by Friday, July 17.
All Disaster Services courses are offered free to participants.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS: The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina responds to approximately one disaster every 17 hours. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. To make a monetary donation, call 803-540-1225, donate online at centralscredcross.org, mail your check to American Red Cross P.O. Box 91, Columbia, SC 29201, or e-mail [email protected].
