Red Cross of Mass. sending volunteers after Hurricane Helene

CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP) – The American Red Cross of Massachusetts told 22News they have sent volunteers to Florida to help the victims of Helene.

Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night as a category 4 hurricane and has already caused 30 deaths and widespread destruction.

Red Cross volunteers are managing the many shelters created to help those in the path of the hurricane and making sure they have a safe place to sleep and food to eat.

“Right now they just need people down there to assist the people affected by the storm. Nearly 3,000 spent the night in shelters in Florida, so those folks need people to take care of them, get them meals, and provide safety for them,” said the Communications Manager for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts, Jeff Hall.

Hall told 22News that the best way to help people in Florida and Georgia is to donate to a charity of their choice. After the storm fully passes, volunteers will be out in the communities impacted providing relief efforts and assessing the damages.

Hall also said they are sending more volunteers down to help this weekend with relief efforts.

Local News Headlines

The Springfield Police Department remembers Reserve Officer Daniel Donovan

Body found in Five Mile Pond in Springfield

American Red Cross of Massachusetts details how residents can help Hurricane Helene victims

Motorcyclist dead after crash on Church Street in Thorndike

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.