Sixteen Oregon Red Cross disaster volunteers have been deployed to the East Coast as part of a nationwide American Red Cross response to help the millions of people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Volunteers will help set up shelters, train volunteers and provide health and mental health services.
The majority of volunteers left Saturday and are currently come from all corners of the state, including: Mt. Angel, Klamath Falls, Keizer, Hermiston, Etna, Albany, Glide, Turner, Milwaukie, Portland, Hillsboro and Salem. The chapters that deployed volunteers include:
Willamette Chapter (Salem)
- 7 volunteers deployed to Greater New York
- Oregon Trail Chapter (Portland)
- 5 volunteers deployed to Greater New York and Pennsylvania
Southern Oregon Chapter (Medford)
- 2 volunteers deployed to Philadelphia and Greater New York
Oregon Pacific Chapter (Eugene)
- 2 volunteers deployed to South New Jersey and Greater New York
More than 3,200 people spent Sunday night in 112 Red Cross shelters in nine states – New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Massachusetts. The number of people going to shelters is expected to grow as the storm comes ashore. As of this morning, the Red Cross nationally has:
- Mobilized more than 1,300 disaster workers into the region from all over the country
- Activated 160 response vehicles, and
- Shipped in more than 230,000 ready-to-eat meals and snacks
How the public can help:
Hurricane Sandy is predicted to trigger a large and prolonged disaster response in up to nine states. Sandy has already caused the cancellation of several American Red Cross blood drives along its path, resulting in a shortfall of several hundred units of blood and platelets thus far. In addition to donating blood, people can call, click or text to donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
News Release from: American Red Cross – Oregon Region