BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As chief communications officer of the American Red Cross chapter in Buffalo, Jay Bonafede has seen the devastation of the recent disasters first hand.

"The recovery process is going to take months," Bonafede said.

The 163 Western New York volunteers already sent to disaster areas will soon be joined by many more, and the price tag isn't cheap. 

"On average, it's about $1,600 to deploy that volunteer," Bonafede said.

That's nearly $270,000 since Hurricane Harvey hit seven weeks ago. It doesn't include donation money spent on other supplies sent to hurricane ravaged areas.

Now, Bonafede says their focus has not only shifted to Las Vegas, but also Northern California. Meantime, they're still struggling to get much needed help to places in the Caribbean like the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Enter Kate Rogers.

"Buffalo to Atlanta, Atlanta to St. Thomas and then I should be there by 2 in the afternoon," Rogers said about her flights Tuesday morning.

She's the most recent Buffalonian to jet off to help.  Rogers says right now, her mission is fluid.

"Some of it will be distributing meals, some of it will be working with community partners trying to find ways make the recovery effort better for people there," Rogers explained. "It's really just as needed they tell you what to do and you go do it."

Restoring power is a top priority, according to information she received before leaving Buffalo, followed by providing food and ensuring housing is safe.

While volunteers like Rogers are working to make a difference elsewhere, Bonafede says the humanitarian organization is working to make sure those shoes are filled in Buffalo as well. 

"Here at home, we know winter is coming," Bonafede said. "One of the worst disasters was the 'October Surprise.' I wasn’t working here, but I was living here. We are in mid-October now, so the time to prepare for something at home is now."

A delicate balance that for some, could be the matter of life or death.

The need for money and volunteers is constant.

Donations can be made through the Red Cross' website