The Red Cross is encouraging local residents to step forward and be at the ready to volunteer this summer as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the entire nation.
Western Kentucky Red Cross Executive Director Evelyn Miller says the coronavirus pandemic has made it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur and is asking local residents to be ready to help their community should the worst happen. She adds there will be two Virtual Open Houses later in the month for those who are interested in volunteering.
Miller states there is currently a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts like helping staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection, and other vital tasks to help those the Red Cross serves.
She notes health support services are also in great need and is encouraging those who may be a licensed RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO, or PA to join with the Red Cross to help assess people’s health. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies. Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students.
Miller states when people leave their homes during an emergency they take their pets with them and the Red Cross is also looking for established partner organizations that can support pet sheltering efforts.
For those interested in volunteering a Virtual Open House to learn more about all volunteer opportunities will be held Wednesday August 19th from noon until 1PM and Thursday, August 20th from 7 until 8PM. To register, or if you have questions, you can contact Sr. Volunteer Recruitment Specialist Stacy Taylor-Bernard at 502-612-9202 or by email at kyvolunteerservices@redcross.org.
A link to more information on volunteer opportunities can be found here.
