Disaster response workshop to recruit new Red Cross volunteers in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – From house fires to natural disasters, the American Red Cross relies on volunteers to help save lives in the case of an emergency as well as make sure that the community has the care and resources that they need. To that end the American Red Cross hosted an impactful disaster response workshop on Saturday at the Holyoke YMCA.

The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the American public to deliver its mission. They shelter, feed, and provide comfort to victims of disasters, supply about 40% of the nation’s blood, teach skills that save lives, distribute international humanitarian aid, and support veterans, military members, and their families.

The goal of the event is to educate residents so they can gain the skills needed to be able to respond and help their neighbors in the case of a disaster. This training was conducted in both English and Spanish.

Once they have the skills the American Red Cross can add them to their Disaster Action Team.

Nia Rennix with American Red Cross told 22News that there is a need for more volunteers, “It is so important because more than ever the disasters are rising and increasing, like home fires and natural disasters. So to respond to all of the need that we have, we need volunteers and we need a lot of them.”

These volunteers make up more than 90 percent of the Disaster workforce and they help to respond to nearly 70,000 disasters every year, most of them being home fires.

“When there is a home fire people need to get a temporary place to stay,” expressed Barbara Carr, a Duty Officer with the American Red Cross. “So, we send them with things to help them during their recovery like blankets, water, snacks, toiletries, so that they can have something. If they lost everything in the fire, they can have some assistance. For the children we have teddy bears and stuffed animals.”

Refreshments were provided for all those who participate. The event ran from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., no experience was required, and you must be 18 years old to attend.

If you missed this workshop, there are some other training sessions coming up. One is on October 7th and the other is on November 7th.

Kiara Smith is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since March 2023. Follow Kiara on X @KiaraBSmith1 and view her bio to see more of her work.

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