For the American Red Cross, volunteers make up over 90% of the organization’s work force and are key to fulfilling our humanitarian mission. The help extended to neighbors in our communities, whether it is in the wake of a house fire down the street or large-scale disaster response, is possible due to this corps of dedicated and compassionate volunteers.
Over the past year, we responded to 200 house and apartment fires across our region, which includes all of Vermont and 12 Upper Valley communities in New Hampshire. At present, in Franklin County, we have only a handful of volunteers. We are working to build out this volunteer corps to ensure that we can provide timely responses to county residents. There are times now where volunteers from other counties provide our response in Franklin County.
Anyone interested in learning more about what the American Red Cross is accomplishing in Franklin County and how they can be a part of this work is encouraged to come to an information meeting being held at St. Albans City Hall, 100 North Main Street, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Meet with Red Cross Deputy Chief Response Officer Brent Garrow, Volunteer Manager Angela Russell and a few of the current members of the organization’s Franklin County Disaster Action Team. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Becoming a Red Cross volunteer does not require any specialized experience. Any training a volunteer will need is provided at no cost. Red Cross volunteers come from all walks of life and all ages. The work of a Red Cross volunteer may not always be easy, but it is rewarding. “I hear it from our volunteers that the reward for their efforts is knowing that they have helped take care of a person in need during what may be the most trying experience in their life,” said Deputy Chief Response Officer Brent Garrow.
We hope you will share information about this upcoming informational meeting with friends, family and colleagues in Franklin County. If you have any questions, contact Angela Russell at 802-660-9130, ext. 107 or angela.russell@redcross.org.
