BILLINGS — Five Red Cross volunteers from Montana, including one from Joliet, have been deployed to southeastern U.S. to aid in hurricane relief efforts, and more are expected to head out in the weeks to come.
The Joliet volunteer is deployed to Georgia to assist with sheltering and feeding, Montana Red Cross said in a news release.
In addition, a Bozeman volunteer, who is a retired registered nurse, and a volunteer from Missoula are deployed to South Carolina and will help with medical needs, sheltering and feeding. A Kalispell volunteer is deployed to North Carolina and will assist with external relations and government operations. A Butte volunteer is deployed to Florida and will help with external government operations.
About 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers. Many receive training throughout the year so they’re ready to respond to disasters here in Montana and across the country when the call comes in.
The American Red Cross is mobilizing more than 1,600 trained volunteers from all over the country, 110 emergency response vehicles, and 99 tractor-trailer loads full of relief supplies, including cots, blankets and 63,000 ready-to-eat meals.
To make a donation and help families impacted by Hurricane Dorian, visit redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS. Text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 gift.
To make an appointment to donate blood or to find a blood drive near you, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-272-6668.
