The American Red Cross continues the massive relief effort to provide safe shelter, food and comfort to thousands of people affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The Red Cross is part of a large team of agencies and organizations responding to provide help to those in need across eight states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In the last three weeks, the Red Cross and community partners have provided more than 890,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters due to hurricanes. Shelters were opened in eight states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Red Cross has served nearly 2.3 million meals and snacks to people in need. Almost 6,000 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground right now, helping thousands of people affected by these storms.
The American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region has deployed 111 volunteers and staff members to help with the immense relief effort in the aftermath of the hurricanes. Those deployed are helping to operate shelters, serve meals and snacks and provide health services. Red Cross emergency vehicles and volunteers are also in affected neighborhoods to distribute food and relief supplies such as bug spray, diapers, cleaning supplies, coolers, and comfort kits with personal hygiene items. Several volunteers and staff members from the region have been assigned leadership roles in staffing, logistics and sheltering. The Red Cross expects the relief effort to continue for at least several months, and additional volunteers will be needed.
The Red Cross is hosting an expedited volunteer training program for new volunteers who are interested deploying to help with the hurricane relief efforts. The Just In Time training is being offered in various locations throughout the region. Just In Time participants will be eligible to deploy following the successful completion of the training and a background check.
Just In Time Volunteer Training Schedule
Sat., Sept. 16 – County EMA Office Building, 311 Miracle Ave., Effingham
Sat., Sept. 16 – Red Cross Office, 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr., Ave., Peoria
Sat., Sept. 23 – Red Cross Office, 3000 N. 23rd St., Quincy
Sat., Sept. 23 – Children’s Safety Village, Univ. of IL Springfield, 4521 S. 11th St., Springfield
Sat., Sept. 23 – I Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 S. 1st St., Champaign
Sat., Sept. 30 – Red Cross Office, One Westport Court, Bloomington
Sat., Sept. 30 – Red Cross Office, 2674 North Main St., Decatur
Sat., Sept. 30 – Red Cross Office, 1100 River Drive, Moline
Sat., Sept. 30 – Community of Christ Church, 100 W. Deyoung St., Marion
Sat., Oct. 7 – Red Cross Office, 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr., Ave., Peoria
Sat., Oct. 7 – Children’s Safety Village, Univ. of IL Springfield, 4521 S. 11th St., Springfield
The training session is free, but registration is requested. All sessions are from 8:00am to 5:00pm. To register, contact [email protected]or 309-662-0500 ext. 7428. Please specify which location when you register.
How to Help
The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by the hurricanes by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS.
