NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — About 565 American Red Cross volunteers from across the country are responding to the devastation left in Tropical Storm Debby's path.
More than 25 of those volunteers are from Tennessee. They're stationed throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, helping in shelters and driving emergency response vehicles.
The Red Cross is operating or supporting 26 emergency shelters for those impacted by Debby. Monday night, those shelters held over 400 people.
"Right now, the need for shelter working volunteers who are ready to deploy at any given time is high," said Jerrica Williams, Interim-Regional Communications Director for the American Red Cross of Tennessee.
If you'd like to volunteer at a future disaster shelter, there are several training events happening this weekend.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Northeast TN Chapter: 660 Eastern Star Rd. Kingsport, TN 37663 | 1 – 5 p.m. EST
Friday, August 9, 2024
East TN Chapter: 6921 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37909 | 1 – 5 p.m. EST
Nashville Area Chapter: 2201 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 | 1 – 5 p.m. CT
Southeast TN Chapter: 4115 S. Access Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37406 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Courtesy: American Red Cross)
"Our volunteer's job is to go in and make sure that these people are comfortable, make sure that their sleeping arrangements are comfortable, make sure that they have someone in spiritual care to talk to because again, this is a hard time for them," saidWilliams.
Volunteering at a shelter is a two week commitment in or beyond your community. Williams said the payoff is knowing you made a difference.
"That sense of just knowing that you helped someone after they lost so much, whether it's a hurricane, whether it's a flood, or even a home fire in the middle of the night, it's just a great feeling to know that you made an impact, big or small, in someone's life," said Williams.
For more information on the Shelter Volunteer training, please contact GiveTime@redcross.org.
The Red Cross is also facing a critical, national blood shortage, heightened by blood drives that have been canceled due to severe weather.
Those who are able are encouraged to donate. You can sign up by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or clicking here.
