Looking for a charity to volunteer with.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I volunteered with the Red Cross to go down to any of the areas devastated by Katrina, I was told they would call when they started a Red Cross training class. How long does that normally take to call?
How long does it take to get Red Cross training?

Any other charity organizations out there that may be able to utilize me sooner then Red Cross?

I have a CDL, combat medical training, a valid YMCA CPR card, plus experience with vacuum trucks. Vacuum Trucks (Warning PDF) and would like to volunteer. I could drive my POV down to a rallying area if need be.

Red Cross is 3 weeks, but I would be able to go up to a month. Any suggestions?

2

Abbie, I’m in Baton Rouge and I went down to the Red Cross the other day to volunteer. They told me they didn’t need me that day (Weds) because there had been so many people volunteering, but to come back Sat morning and they’d put me in a class. I was actually thinking of going back up there today to see if they need me now, and they might put me to work since I’m already signed up now. I hope so, 'cos I feel really helpless sitting here in front of the TV. - And with so many people out there that need immediate help! :frowning: So, no suggestions, just similar situation here.

3

Abby,

I stood up and made the following announcement in church (paraphrased):

I am an ARC volunteer. Disasters don’t stop when the ADHD press jumps off on another topic. There will be a need for volunteers well into December. Call the local chapter now and get training to go out in October and November. The people deployed now will need to be replaced in another two weeks by fresh people, and that need will continue for months.

[end paraphrease}

The minimum training needed will be CPR and first aid. You will probably need to watch the training schedules like a hawk and get yourself to a class, as many of the paid staff are down in the Gulf Coast area. Beyond that, any additional training will depend on how you want to serve (ERV driver? need defensive driving course, too; kitchen? staffing assistance? RTT?: do you know anything about computers, networking them or satellite comm?). With resources stretched so thin, you may have to do a lot of your own legwark to be trained in time to go out while there’s still a need. And, part of being an ARC volunteer is that you take the intiative to make things happen within your capabilities, or you find someone who will make it happen. This may well be a time when you will need to make your own training happen.

Vlad/Igor
ECRV 4710
Louisville, KY Chapter, ARC.

4

Abbie,
In deciding where my money should go, I came across several listings of charities that are helping out. Some of them are or will be looking for volunteers. Here’s a link to the list of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and here’s my post from another thread that goes to charity screening resources that also list organizations.

GT

5

I am scheduled for class this Tuesday from 6pm through 10pm, same with Thursday, and then they will forward my information on, and wait for the ARC to contact me again. They have told me they will need volunteers (3 week chunks) far into next year for this hurricane.

A local church had me driving a truck of supplies into Pittsburgh PA for shipment down south, 3 loads this weekend. Another one today that I couldn’t do because of my wife’s doctors appointments. So I have been able to help in a little way.

6

If you are a combat medic you might want to check out the Dept. of Health & Human Services page with information on being a medical volunteer at the address below:

https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov/

BTW, you need a Hep B vaccination series and a Diptheria/Tetanus within the past 10 years.